It’s personal when Lawler takes on Lions

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This article was published 08/11/2023 (1000 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Kenny Lawler doesn’t forget.

In 2018 — before he became a star receiver for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers — the University of California product was trying to break into the CFL with the B.C. Lions when he tore one of his hamstrings.

He went home to rehab and the Lions promised to cover the costs and then bring him back once he had recovered.

That, however is not what happened.

They cut him loose and never looked back.

Fortunately for Lawler, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks, he had a few months left of his NFL insurance that he could tap into. That hasn’t led to him taking it easy on the Lions, though.

“When I play the B.C. Lions, I want to go all out and let them know what they missed out on,” Lawler said after Wednesday’s practice at IG Field.

“It’s just one of those things where if someone says you can’t do something or someone does you wrong, you hold onto it. And it’s kinda crazy because none of those people are even there in B.C. now, but I tell myself little stories to get myself fired up. I make sure that I make it personal every time I’m on that field.”

In Week 9, Lawler exploded for 200 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions at home in a 50-14 beatdown over the Orange and Black. Fast forward to a pivotal West Division matchup on Oct. 6 in Vancouver, Lawler shone again, this time with 97 yards on nine catches in a 34-26 overtime win.

Lawler had the best game of his career Oct. 2, 2021 with 12 receptions for 205 yards in a 30-9 victory at BC Place during his first stint with Winnipeg. Lawler spent last season with the Edmonton Elks before rejoining the Bombers this past offseason.

He’ll have a chance to stick it to the Lions on the big stage this Saturday when the Bombers (14-4) host B.C. (12-6) in the Western Final at IG Field (5:30 p.m. CT).

The Bombers are 6-0 against the Lions in games dating back to 2019 with Lawler in the lineup. The 29-year-old was suspended when B.C. stomped Winnipeg 30-6 on June 22.

If that mark is going to improve to 7-0, Lawler will likely need a clutch performance as all signs point to leading receiver Dalton Schoen missing Saturday with an ankle injury. Fellow pass catchers Rasheed Bailey (knee) and Nic Demski (ankle) — who were limited to some individual work on the sidelines on Wednesday — are also battling injuries.

“There’s no pressure at all, man. If there is pressure, I ain’t gonna crack and you won’t be able to tell that there is pressure on me,” said Lawler, who made 50 catches for 901 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games this season.

“It’s not just Kenny Lawler on there. I got another 11 guys out there ready to ride so they don’t got to call my number all the time. We got Brady (Oliveira), we got guys that are next guys up, we got so many guys and that’s what I love about being in Winnipeg. We’re deep, we’re dynamic, we’re the best, and it doesn’t matter who’s in because we’re always going to show and prove that we’re the best.”

Lawler has proven himself as one of the top wideouts in the three-down circuit but he’s yet to put up big numbers in a post-season tilt. In five career playoff games, Lawler has 14 catches for 216 receiving yards and one touchdown. His best showing was the 2019 Grey Cup in which he hauled in three passes for 52 yards.

“If anything, I’m craving for my other guys to get that 100-yard game, the guys who are the next man up to get that 100-yard game, because I know I’m going to draw this double coverage. If you leave me one-on-one, I’m going to eat. I’m going to tear your ass up. But if you put two on me, that’s cool,” said Lawler.

“If I have a game with two catches for two yards, I’m not tripping because I know someone else is eating. That’s the type of offence we have.”

Six Bombers named CFL All-Stars

It was at this time last season when cornerback Demerio Houston was on the outside looking in.

Houston lost his starting job after missing some time with an injury and ended the 2022 campaign as a healthy scratch.

Fast forward to today, the 27-year-old from North Carolina is a CFL All-Star and set to start Saturday’s Western Final against the Lions.

The Bombers had six players — Houston, running back Brady Oliveira, receiver Dalton Schoen, right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick, guard Patrick Neufeld, defensive end Willie Jefferson — named to the league’s all-star team on Wednesday.

Houston leads the CFL with seven interceptions this season.

“I had a chip on my shoulder because I wasn’t able to play and wasn’t able to help my team finish the run last year. This offseason I worked real hard and made sure my body was good so I could last the whole season and be in this position where I’m able to start the West Final down the stretch and help my team win ballgames,” said Houston.

“It’s definitely a blessing and just a great achievement, but at the end of the day, the job isn’t done yet.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

X: @taylorallen31