CFL SIM: ESKIMOS 26 LIONS 17

The 2020 CFL SIM season virtually kicked off with the Edmonton Eskimos posting a 26-17 win over the BC Lions at Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium Thursday in a game computer-simulated on Doug Flutie’s Maximum Football by Nelson Hackewich.

Edmonton QB Trevor Harris and BC QB Mike Reilly combined to throw for 781 yards yet each heaved three interceptions. Reilly’s first was a costly one, in the redzone early in the second quarter with his team leading 7-1.

The Lions led 7-1 after the first quarter however the Esks rallied for an 18-8 lead at halftime. That’s when Canadian rock sensations Nickelback virtually rocked the soldout crowd of 60,081. The Hannah, AB band’s setlist was Burn It To The Ground, Rockstar and When We Stand Together, the last of which served as a rallying cry for the COVID-rocked CFL and its suffering fans from coast-to-coast.

Eskimos slotback Anthony Parker was the game star, hauling in 9 passes for 143 yards and 3 TDs! Shaq Johnson led all Lions receivers with 10 catches for 130 yards however he appeared to injure himself in the third quarter. Trevor Harris was 31/65 for 386 yards, 3 TDs and 3 INT for the home side while Mike Reilly was 42/72 for 395 yards, 1 TD and 3 INT in his latest return to Edmonton. Star BC receiver Bryan Burnham had a big night as well making 9 receptions for 97 yards.

Our SIM schedule continues Friday with a doubleheader on Friday Night Football featuring Toronto at Ottawa followed by Montreal at Calgary. Fans can watch the broadcast on www.twitch.tv, and searching for the account “Nhacker49”. If you download the Twitch app, you can comment in the Chat Section during the game.

RP
@rodpedersen