Sam Hicks scored two touchdowns as the Toronto Argonauts beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 20-10 in the first CFL exhibition game for both teams. Chad Kelly returned to the Toronto lineup after missing the entire 2025 campaign, while Hamilton’s Larry Rountree III o
Sam Hicks didn’t just notch points on the board—he delivered the kind of second-half momentum the Toronto Argonauts needed, turning their first CFL exhibition into a statement as they beat the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats 20-10 on Saturday.
Hicks finished with two touchdowns to lead Toronto, running for 25 yards on five carries. He got things moving with a nine-yard scamper in the third quarter, then added a four-yard TD run in the fourth as the Argos outscored Hamilton 20-3 in the second half.
Hamilton struck first. Larry Rountree III opened the scoring with a 46-yard TD run in the first quarter, and he backed it up with a game-high 86 yards on nine carries.
But penalties swung the storyline in a different direction. Hamilton was flagged 11 times for 144 yards, while Toronto had seven penalties for 73 yards. The extra stops and yardage made the game feel choppy—even with scoring moments coming at both ends.
Chad Kelly made the return that carried the most emotional weight for Toronto. It was his first start since suffering a leg injury in the ’24 East Division final. an injury that sidelined him for the entire 2025 campaign. Kelly completed three-of-seven passes for 29 yards and ran for twice for 24 yards.
Veteran Bo Levi Mitchell, the East Division’s outstanding player for the last two seasons, started for Hamilton. Mitchell completed all three passes he attempted for 50 yards.
Hamilton’s Jake Dolegala went five-of-14 for 61 yards with an interception, while Canadian Tre Ford was two-of-10 passing for 14 yards and added 17 yards rushing on two carries.
Toronto and Hamilton will meet again Friday night in Guelph, Ont., for their final pre-season contests. Hamilton will open the ’26 regular season on June 4 by hosting the Montreal Alouettes, while Toronto opens its season June 12 in Montreal.
The day’s other CFL action brought more clarity for the teams already building for the regular season. In Langford, B.C., the Edmonton Elks beat the B.C. Lions 34-16, with Edmonton leading 17-10 at halftime and 24-10 heading into the final quarter.
Taylor Powell, Zach Zebrowski and Cole Snyder all threw touchdown passes as Edmonton controlled the scoring. Powell was 13 of 14 for 160 yards. Rushawn Baker added eight carries for 47 yards. receiver Carter Kettyle had two catches for 65 yards and a touchdown. and kicker Jesus Gomez was two-for-two on field goals. with his longest from 30 yards out.
For the Lions, quarterback Chase Brice went eight-for-10 for 77 yards and one touchdown. Emani Bailey rushed for 54 yards on 10 carries, and Jayden Williams made three catches for 53 yards. Mark McNamee went three-for-three on field goals for B.C., with his longest from 30 yards.
Late Saturday, the next chapter of the pre-season schedule is set: the Winnipeg Blue Bombers visit the Grey Cup-champion Saskatchewan Roughriders.
CFL Toronto Argonauts Hamilton Tiger-Cats Sam Hicks Chad Kelly Bo Levi Mitchell Larry Rountree III Edmonton Elks B.C. Lions Jesus Gomez Langford pre-season