Edmonton Eskimos celebrate a touchdown by Edmonton Eskimos slotback D'haquille Williams (81) during CFL action between the Eskimos and Lions in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, June 24, 2017. (CFL PHOTO - Jimmy Jeong)
After the Eskimos surrendered a two-score lead in the fourth, Mike Reilly had the game in his hands with under 40 seconds remaining and delivered a strike to a wide open Brandon Zylstra in behind coverage for a 76-yard gain to set up a chip-shot Sean Whyte field goal with zeros on the clock to take the victory.
Well before the Esks had a chance to pull out the dramatic win, they were propped up by a sensational debut from newcomer D’haquille Williams who recorded 110 yards and a touchdown on four receptions.
Quarterback Mike Reilly finished 20 of 28 for 315 yards and two touchdowns while running back John White had 104 yards on the ground to complement Zylstra`s 152 yards receiving.
Both offences stumbled out of the gate, executing well on first down but struggling to convert on second once they reached midfield. After two consecutive Lions punt singles, the Esks took an early 3-2 lead with four minutes left when Sean Whyte knocked an 18-yard field goal through. The boot was set up by a 44-yard reception from newcomer Williams.
ESKIMOS WR D’HAQUILLE WILLIAMS CELEBRATES HIS FIRST CAREER TOUCHDOWN IN THE ESKIMOS WIN SATURDAY NIGHT IN VANCOUVER.
The Esks had a chance to build on their small lead when Odell Willis and JC Sherritt teamed up to force a Jonathon Jennings turnover but they were forced to settle for a 20-yard Whyte field goal.
Unfortunately for Sherritt and the Eskimos, the star linebacker went down at the start of the second quarter, favouring his left leg, and had to be helped off. Sherritt was all alone in the middle of the field when he suffered the non-contact injury and was seen being tended to on the sideline near his left ankle where typically achillies injuries are found.
The defences continued to hunker down for the majority of the half until the Eskimos put up the first significant score of the game. Reilly found Zylstra open down the seam for a 44-yard gain before the Esks QB hooked up with what seems to be his new favourite target in Williams. Reilly stood in the pocket and delivered a deep ball to the endzone where the former Auburn receiver climbed the ladder, snagged the pigskin and landed inbounds for his first CFL touchdown and a 13-5 lead that Edmonton could take to halftime.
Even though the Edmonton offence created separation before the break, it was their defence in the first half that was the story despite the loss of Sherritt. For the most part, they contained Jennings in the pocket and held him to just 104 passing yards.
On the other sideline, the Esks defence was the least of the Lions’ worries who had two big plays called back on penalties. A 90-yard punt return touchdown by speedster Chris Rainey was brought back on a holding call and a 43-yard Nick Moore reception went for not after another hold along the offensive line.
The Lions came out with a different scheme offensively it seemed in the third quarter and despite not posting a major they did move the ball well. Jennings found Moore and Manny Arceneaux over the middle on consecutive plays to set up a 27-yard field goal from K Ty Long.
Jennings and Moore connected once again on the next BC possession, leading to yet another Long field goal to cut the Edmonton lead to 13-11 midway through the third frame.
Settling on field goals wasn’t doing the Leos any favours however and after relinquishing some of the momentum Edmonton regained control of the game and relied on their stud tailback to do so.
John White took a handoff and countered towards the left side of the line, turned up field and romped 43-yards to set up a Vidal Hazelton touchdown reception on a slant two plays later to put the Esks advantage at 20-13 to close out the third quarter.
As the fourth started however, it was the Lions offence that awoke, ignited by a turnover. A misfielded punt by the Esks and recovery by Lions put BC at the Eskimos 24-yard line. A quick completion by Jennings to Rainey preceeded a 13-yard Jeremiah Johnson run up the middle. The convert was blocked.
With barely enough time to celebrate, the Eskimos countered. A huge reception by Williams allowed White to punch in a major from two-yards out to quickly restore the two-possession lead at 27-17. The score was set up by a 50-yard kickoff return from LB Chris Edwards.
The Lions answered on their next possession with another Long field goal before getting one last shot to stage a comeback, getting the ball with 1:46 left on the clock. After surrendering a sack, Jennings bounced back and delivered. The young pivot scrambled to the left, planted and delivered a strike down field to Moore who hauled in a 62-yard reception, setting the Lions up inside the Esks five. On the next play Travis Lulay punched in a two-yard score with 56 seconds remaining to tie the game at 27.
The Lions had a chance to take the late lead but Long missed the 32-yard convert just wide left.
Next week, the Lions head to Toronto to take on the Argonauts on Friday Night Football while the Eskimos host their home opener at Commonwealth Stadium in a matchup with the Montreal Alouettes.