Article content continued

The Lions’ only points were delivered by Shakeir Ryan on a 63-yard punt return that briefly gave B.C. a 7-3 lead. That edge soon disappeared as Edmonton’s defence took control and B.C.’s pivots took their lumps.

“We’ve got to get better reads there, they’ve got to let the ball go, they’ve got to settle down and relax,” said head coach DeVone Claybrooks. “But you know, it’s the first pre-season game seven days (into camp), so we should get better.”

The organization will be as patient as it can be with the youngsters. After a week at camp, they needed some more intense trial by fire, far more than a grizzled vet like Reilly needed another pre-season start.

“I always tell everybody I want to play every snap of every game. As you become a veteran, even though you say you still feel that way, maybe things change a little bit,” Reilly said last week in Kamloops. “The reality is this game happens so quick and they’re evaluating the young guys, so I would understand if I don’t play.”

He stayed in B.C. and the kids went to school.

“We have several young guys, virtual unknowns, that’s why this game was extremely important for them,” Lions’ GM Ed Hervey said at halftime. “It kicks off the start of their opportunity to be the backup. You can never simulate this type of action in practice.”

The Lions blew up the depth chart at quarterback during the off-season. They let Jonathon Jennings get to free agency, and he landed in Ottawa. They signed Reilly and then Travis Lulay retired to a job in the front office. Some teams might have opted for experience at backup, but the Lions went another route and sound committed to it.