\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
![\"THE](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4270224_web1_CP176379072.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTHE CANADIAN PRESS\/JOHN WOODS <\/p>\n
Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Taylor Elgersma (centre) gets sacked by Tyler Coyle (23) amid a pride of B.C. Lions during first half CFL pre-season football action in Winnipeg on Friday. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
He was far from fantastic, but in his defence, his top weapons were a pair of unproven rookies in Christian Fredericksen and Dorian Singer.<\/p>\n
Elgersma started the evening with a bang by marching the Bombers down the field on a 10-play, 73-yard touchdown drive capped off by a two-yard QB sneak.<\/p>\n
His best throw came on the next possession when he aired out a nearly 50-yard strike over the middle to Singer, but the ball bounced off the receiver\u2019s mitts.<\/p>\n
That would\u2019ve been a big boost to Elgersma\u2019s stat line, who instead settled for 11-for-20 for 127 yards and no turnovers.<\/p>\n
The Bombers have made it clear that he\u2019s the No. 2 pivot behind Zach Collaros as head coach Mike O\u2019Shea trotted Elgersma out for three quarters of work under centre.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Run Perkins run<\/p>\n
For the second week in a row, Bryce Perkins was given the fourth quarter to show what he can do.<\/p>\n
Last year\u2019s UFL MVP caught a huge break on his first passing attempt as it was intercepted by Lions linebacker Parker McKenna, but it was waved off thanks to defensive back Morice Norris being flagged for illegal contact.<\/p>\n
With the ball near midfield later in the fourth, Perkins botched a chance to shine when he overthrew a wide-open Jihad Marks by a mile for what should\u2019ve been a highlight scoring play.<\/p>\n
The former Los Angeles Ram did find the end zone on his last possession when he executed a 12-play, 77-yard drive that he punctuated with a one-yard plunge.<\/p>\n
Perkins completed six-of-nine attempts for 48 yards. While he didn\u2019t blow anyone away with his arm, he dazzled with his legs, demonstrating his ability to make something out of nothing when the pocket collapses. The 29-year-old ran seven times for 36 yards.<\/p>\n
Perkins needs a lot of seasoning before he can make a name for himself as a passer in three-down loop, but with his athleticism, he can be one of the best short-yardage guys in the CFL immediately.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fredericksen feeling good<\/p>\n
It was a quiet night for everyone on offence except for Fredericksen.<\/p>\n
The receiver out of Idaho State had the trust of both Elgersma and Perkins and finished with six grabs for 79 yards with 41 of those coming after the catch.<\/p>\n
The Bombers discovered Fredericksen at a free agent camp this winter, and the 6-3, 209 pounder was a reliable target all throughout training camp.<\/p>\n
The club is loaded at the position with Ontaria Wilson, Nic Demski, Tim White and Tommy Nield, but Fredericksen has proven he deserves to be stashed on the practice roster at the very least.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Locals in blue<\/p>\n
Say what you will about pre-season football, but Friday was a huge deal for a pair of Winnipeg Rifles \u2014 receiver Jarome Penner and linebacker Cohen McCluskey \u2014 who got to suit up for their hometown\u2019s pro team.<\/p>\n
Penner, one of the Canadian Junior Football League\u2019s most talented pass catchers, ran a few routes late and had a reception for no gain.<\/p>\n
Jackson Tachinski, the former star quarterback for the Manitoba Bisons, also had a catch for 11 yards.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not again, Burrell<\/p>\n
The Riders scored the game-winning touchdown with rookie corner Warren Burrell in coverage last week.<\/p>\n
Burrell, once again, surrendered a TD on Friday when Lions QB Kaidon Salter connected with Kieran Poissant for a 24-yard score with under three minutes to go.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Major Williams (41) defends against B.C. Lions’ James Butler (20) during first half CFL pre-season football action in Winnipeg on Friday.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Out of all the fresh faces vying for the opening corner job, Major Williams had the best showing with four defensive tackles and a special teams takedown.<\/p>\n Williams, a 24-year-old out of Carson-Newman, participated in the Kansas City Chiefs\u2019 rookie minicamp last year before earning a spot on their pre-season roster.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n winnipegfreepress.com\/taylorallen<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t Taylor Allen Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree\/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTHE CANADIAN PRESS\/JOHN WOODS
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Reporter
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n