By Max Campbell
Stampeders.com

It’s a great way to launch a new football season.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun starting the off the season the right way and getting the fans excited,” quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell said of Friday’s regular-season opener – and Grey Cup rematch – between his Calgary Stampeders and the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats. “You know it’s going to be a good game.”

The MVP of last year’s championship game, who was also announced as one of four team captains on Monday, will be looking to lead his team to yet another victory over the Ticats on Friday after going 3-0 against the East Division opponent in 2014.

Veteran receiver Marquay McDaniel, who wore Hamilton’s black and gold for two seasons before free agency brought him to Calgary back in 2011, is also glad to be going up against the Tiger-Cats in Week 1.

“It’s a good game to start the season because it’s them and they have been talking a lot,” said No. 16, who had 61 receiving yards on seven catches in the late-November showdown. “I don’t think we finished that game like we wanted to so I think that’s big for this year. It’s going to be an exciting game and I think that’s how you want to start the season because it is a little bit of a rivalry now as of last year.”

Although he has become familiar with the defensive tendencies of the Tiger-Cats, he is well aware the visitors will come prepared to present the Red and White with a tremendous challenge.

“The last team we prepared for is the same team (we’re preparing for this week),” the Virginia native acknowledged. “There’s similar looks from the three tough games we had against them last year, so we’re looking forward to a really tough game this week. If we take care of what we need to take care of, then we’ll be OK.”

Also looking forward to the matchup is Fred Bennett, who had a pair of tackles in the Grey Cup victory after being named a West Division all-star for his stellar play throughout the regular season. Although chomping at the bit to perform at a high level once again, the defensive back is doing his best to approach the contest as just another game on the schedule.

“It really doesn’t matter who we play the first game,” stated a matter-of-fact Bennett. “But it is a Grey Cup rematch and I’m pretty sure it’s going to be exciting. They’ll be coming in with a chip on their shoulder, as they should, so we’ll see how it goes.”

Hamilton may very well have revenge on their minds, but the Stamps’ contingent has become used to the pressure of being one of the league’s top teams in recent years. Calgary owns a 41-13 record over their past three regular-season campaigns, eight games better than any other club in that period.

“We get everybody’s best shot who comes in here so we’re expecting that,” said Bennett. “And I know one thing — the Calgary Stampeders will be ready to play.”