EDMONTON – Now that the Elks are five days into Training Camp, it’s very apparent that the intensity has been ramped up.
“You can see it,” Royce Metchie said when asked about the intensity. “All throughout the ones, twos, threes, even the offense. That’s football. You know, we’re loving it.”
For the fans that have come out to watch an Edmonton Elks Training Camp sessions in 2025, they are witness to a team that is fast, they’re loud, and they’re locked in. Whether it is second-year linebacker Eteva Mauga-Clements hauling in an interception return for a touchdown, or veteran defensive back Marcus Lewis breaking up a sure catch, the exuberant support from the sidelines in obvious. This Elks team is one that loves to compete and has already built up it’s fair share of camaraderie.
Elks players celebrate following Marcus Lewis’s pass break up during Thursday’s practice
Early on, it has been the Elks defence who has been leading the way in the energy department. It’s typically the expectation that the defence will begin training camp ahead of the offence, especially one that is trying to integrate as many new players into a new system like the Elks.
“Offense always takes longer. It’s new for everybody,” Head Coach Mark Kilam said. “Even for Cody Fajardo, who has familiarity in it (under Jordan Maksymic mentor Jason Maas). So it’s different for everybody. They’re continuing to build, they’re continuing to find spacing, and continuing to find timing. The protection is different. In our run game we do some different things. It’s everybody getting on the same page with all that.”
The offence is going to have to put in the work to catch up to what could be a very special defensive group. The belief among the Green and Gold is that iron sharpens irons — and with last season’s top-tackling linebackers Nyles Morgan and Nick Anderson being joined by new additions like defensive lineman Robbie Smith, defensive back Tyrell Ford, and defensive lineman Jake Ceresna — there is a whole lot of steel to work with on the Elks defence.
It is the two-time All-CFL pass rusher Jake Ceresna who has taken the early leadership reigns with the unit. With 45 career CFL sacks on his resume, the six-foot-four monster in the heart of the Double E’s defence commands respect inside the locker room and on the field. The belief is the rest of the Elks energetic defence will follow him as the team continues to build towards the end of Training Camp and Saturday, June 7’s Season Opener against the B.C. Lions.
“We’ve got a few (experienced players), but Jake is a tremendous leader,” Kilam said about his defensive centerpiece. “He leads by example and he leads with his shoulder pads. We’ve got a couple guys that are like that and we’ve got a couple guys that are vocal. It’s whatever the group needs. A veteran guy will speak up if he has to, or he’s going to put the shoulder pads down if he has to. He’ll get the group to follow.”