Courtesy Vancouver Province:

THE SETUP

A week after the CFL made them participate in a poorly scheduled exhibition game, neither team has to play it coy any longer — it’s the season opener.

LIONS LAST YEAR

All the good from a 14-3-1 regular-season record became wasted effort when the Lions dropped the West Division final at home to the Riders.

STAMPS LAST YEAR

An injury to QB Henry Burris began the Stamps’ demise and prompted changes, starting with John Hufnagel, who debuts as head coach.

WHEN THE LIONS HAVE THE BALL

Lions update

B.C. starts the tricky task of trying to utilize the emotion which came from last year’s playoff loss without overly dwelling on the past.

“Everyone remembers what happened last year, but it won’t change the outcome,” said new starting QB Buck Pierce. “I do know this: Everyone also is looking to start this season because it’s a new season.”

One to watch

The fact DB Korey Banks finally will play a Stamps game with meaning is a good thing because the last two outings between the teams, dating back to last season, were hardly his best.

Banks says he just doesn’t get as motivated for mean-nothing affairs. He’ll need to get serious matched up against Stamps SB Jeremaine Copeland tonight.

Roster moves

LB Jamall Johnson (hamstring) starts the new season like the last one, on the injured list and replaced by Tim Goodwell.

OL Walter Stith, SB Adam Nicolson, injured DT Jeremy Gibbs and ST Stefan Logan are the inactives.

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