By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on July 24, 2025.
sports@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews Having reached the one-third point in the 2025 CFL season, it’s time to evaluate what has transpired so far. When I made my predictions, I thought Saskatchewan would be the best team in the league, enough baling wire could be applied to Winnipeg’s aging fleet to finish second. I thought B.C. would have a tall mountain to climb, Edmonton would struggle early and win late. I wasn’t sure what kind of team the rebuilding Stampeders would turn out to be but I picked them to finish third. The Riders and Calgary are the teams to beat, the Elks are disappointing, B.C. is about where I thought they’d be and Winnipeg is better than the teams below them. Down East, Hamilton is top Cat, Montreal has a strong defence but with the reoccurring injury to quarterback Davis Alexander, now on the Six-Game Injury List, they will struggle to score points. Ottawa and Toronto are disasters, making a crossover playoff spot for the West likely. According to the league office, punters are averaging 48.2 yards per punt, the highest mark in CFL history. Perhaps that’s why there have been so many terrific returns this year, more than in recent memory. They are out-kicking the coverage. The league also points out that all first round selections in this year’s Canadian College draft made their teams and four are starters, including astonishing receiver Damien Alford in Calgary and Stamps’ Chris Fortin at centre, the most difficult position on the offensive line. Ti-Cat linebacker Devin Veresuk is having an all-star like campaign, as is receiver Keelan White in Ottawa. The talking heads are gaga over the young guns, Nathan Rourke, Tre Ford and Davis Alexander. I’ve been crusading for Canadian quarterbacks for a long time so I really want Rourke and Ford to succeed. But through the first third of the seasons, it has been the old dogs on the block leading the way. It’s no accident their teams are the best in the league. Bo Levi Mitchell has Hamilton on a four-game win streak and in first place in the East. He is first in passing with 145 completions for 1,812 yards, 66.2 per cent, 12 TDs, no interceptions. Adams, Jr. Is second with 63 strikes, (67.5 per cent),1,720 yards, eight majors, six picks. Harris ranks fourth with 117 completions, 1,626 yards, nine scores and four intercepts. He has the best percentage, 71.4. Third is Argo Nick Arbuckle. “Ultimately in the CFL it comes down to quarterback play,” Rourke observed after his Lions lost to Saskatchewan. Injuries could be the great equalizer. Beginning in 2012, Mitchell didn’t miss a regular or postseason game over his first seven years. He was hurt his last two years in Calgary as well as 2023 in Hamilton. He bounced back last year and seems his durable self at 35. Vernon Adams, Jr. (32) has proven durable. Since leaving Ottawa after 2018, Trevor Harris has only dressed for all 18 games once. He is the most brittle and the oldest at age 39. Which team can best withstand losing their starter? Behind Mitchell are Taylor Powell and Jake Dolegama. No Bo? Disaster. VA, Jr. is backed up by veteran NFL starter P.J. Walker. Who knows? Saskatchewan is in the best position with reliable, Mr. Mediocre Jake Maier. What can we expect over the second third of the season which will take us to Labour Day? Calgary should stand pat. If they get over-confidant, Coach Dave Dickenson can remind them they lost to Ottawa, a defeat that could be a blessing in disguise. But why mess with success? Same with the Roughriders. Edmonton needs to find a running game and shore up a defence that has been surrendering an average of 30+ points a game. Youngster Ford was awful in his last outing versus the Lions completing four passes for 34 yards. Attendance is down four thousand per game from last years’ average of 20,500. The youngster is the better draw but ease the pressure on him and turn the ball over to veteran Cody Fajardo. Nathan Rourke needs to be more consistent and the defence must improve for B.C. to make the playoffs. Winnipeg is having one of those years where whatever can go wrong, does go wrong. They need to upgrade their offensive line to get Brady Oliveira back on track. Graham Kelly has covered the CFL for the Medicine Hat News for 53 years. Feedback for this column can be emailed to sports@medicinehatnews.com. 26