The running back battle is heating up at camp.
And that’s music to the ears of Stamps head coach and GM Dave Dickenson.
“When there is a lot of good players at your position you’re going to get pushed,” said Dickenson. “You’re going to feel that and I feel like all those guys want it, want to make this team and make an impact so we will see what happens. We’d like to get some of those other guys a few more carries this week and build on what we started last week.”
The Red and White find themselves in a solid position following a strong performance from the running back group in Monday’s preseason opener against the Lions.
Ludovick Choquette and Tiyon Evans picked up touchdowns, while Eno Benjamin averaged 4.3 yards per carry.
The Stampeders will wrap up their preseason on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. against the Edmonton Elks at McMahon Stadium.
Evans, who added 44 yards on the ground to go along with his touchdown, says despite the strong showing in his first game, he still has more to give this weekend.
“I just want to show that I can bring anything they need to the team,” he explained. “Whatever they need me to do. No matter if it’s coming in for Dedrick (Mills) or coming in on special teams, it doesn’t matter. Whatever I can do for the team is what I want to showcase.
“I feel like I didn’t have a good game honestly, just from me being competitive. I definitely feel there is a lot I can clean up and I’m looking forward to going out there and cleaning it up for sure.”
Veteran running back and local product Jeshrun Antwi played for the University of Calgary Dinos for five seasons before making the jump to the CFL and playing with Montreal.
For him, it’s great to be back at McMahon.
“I’m very excited to put pads on again in front of the home crowd,” said Antwi. “This is a very special place for me so I’m looking forward to it.”
Antwi will make his Stampeders debut on Saturday night after getting the first exhibition game off.
“You can’t take anything for granted in this league,” he explained. “There are a lot of players who wish they could be in our position and they are not. Every year is a new year, whether it’s year one or year seven, we are all competing so I’m really looking forward to being here.”
Antwi is reunited with pivot Vernon Adams Jr. after playing with the quarterback in 2019 with the Alouettes in his rookie season, and a brief stint with the Lions in 2024.
“It’s been great, we go all the way back to Montreal,” he said. “To watch his growth as a quarterback and a leader has been great. Now he’s looking forward to leading the Calgary Stampeders.”
With many new faces on the Stamps this season, Antwi says the turnover can bring positives to both sides of the ball.
“I think change is good,” said Antwi. “Coach got rid of some guys and brought some new guys in, so adding (Dominique) Rhymes to Reggie (Begelton) and Jalen Philpot and Dedrick Mills and the rest of the guys, I think (on) defence and offence you’re going to see explosiveness on both sides of the ball this season.”