VANCOUVER – It was the final dress rehearsal for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and – given what’s unfolded over the last few days – all eyes were fixated on the understudies.

And the microscope was cranked up especially on the men who take the snap from centre in Chris Streveler, Alex Ross and Bryan Bennett, knowing that one of the three will be the opening night starting quarterback with Matt Nichols now on the six-game injured list.

The Bombers wrapped up their 2018 pre-season Friday night with a 34-21 loss to the B.C. Lions at B.C. Place that was all about one last look before Saturday’s cut down of the roster and next Thursday’s season opener against the Edmonton Eskimos.

The score was inconsequential, but the storylines most certainly weren’t. With that in mind, here are 10 take-aways from the Bombers final pre-season tilt…

1. THE QUARTERBACKS

Alex Ross started, and it did not go well for the second-year pro on his very first attempt to pass as he was sacked by Davon Coleman and fumbled, with the gaffe returned 20 yards for a TD just 45 seconds into the game.

But Ross settled in on his next drive, going 5-of-6 for 51 yards with two completions to Ryan Lankford, then to Daniel Petermann, Myles White and Drew Wolitarsky that led to a 31-yard field goal.

Ross, who was just 1-of-8 last week against the Esks, looked much more comfortable at the controls against the Lions starting defence and while working behind an offensive line that had a combined regular season start total of zero. Ross re-entered the game in the fourth quarter and finished an impressive 10-of-13 for 78 yards.

Bryan Bennett was next out of the bullpen, entering the game midway through second quarter. He came exactly as advertised, hitting Rueben Randle for a 58-yard TD on a play in which he rolled to his left and then unleashed a bomb that was underthrown, but in which Randle made a heckuva play to come back to the ball and then fight through the defender for the score.

There were times where Bennett’s lack of snaps in camp – he joined the club late and just returned to practice recently after suffering an injury in the Your Call Football League – were apparent, but he also flashed enough athleticism to suggest he could hold the short-yardage role held by Dan LeFevour last season. Bennett finished his night 5-of-9 for 64 yards and the one TD, while rushing five times for 15 yards.

Chris Streveler came in to start the second half, and after going 10-of-10 last week, looked more like a rookie straight out of college against B.C.’s starting defence. His first throw was almost intercepted and his second not only was, but was returned 62 yards for a touchdown by Otha Foster III. He did flash his arm strength inside the final three minutes, hitting Kenbrell Thompkins for a 32–yard TD.

Streveler finished his night 4-for-9 for 47 yards, and his performance, coupled with the work of Ross, leaves the most pressing question coming out of camp – who starts next Thursday against Edmonton? – still unanswered.

2. WHO ARE THESE GUYS?

The dudes dressed in white, blue and gold – just like with the lineup the Esks fielded last week in Winnipeg – were primarily Bombers in name only. Consider, after all, the men left back at home:

Offence: QB Matt Nichols (injured), RB Andrew Harris, SB Weston Dressler, SB Adarius Bowman, SB Nic Demski WR Darvin Adams, LT Stanley Bryant, LG Pat Neufeld, C Matthias Goossen, RG Sukh Chungh, RT Jermarcus Hardrick.

Defence: DE Jackson Jeffcoat, DE Tristan Okpalaugo, DE Craig Roh, DT Cory Johnson, LB Adam Bighill, LB Chandler Fenner, LB Jovan Santos-Knox LB Maurice Leggett (injured), CB Chris Randle, S Taylor Loffler, DB Kevin Fogg.

Specialists: K Justin Medlock, LS Chad Rempel.

There were a few raised eyebrows when the Bombers released their depth chart on Thursday, but for those trying to earn a roster spot, there were no excuses that starters were stealing away snaps.

3. CANUCK RECEIVING CORPS

The Bombers landed Nic Demski in free agency and that addition led to the decision to start two Canadians in the receiving corps this season. Demski is a lock for the one job, as slotback, while Drew Wolitarsky appears to have fought off a challenge from Rashaun Simonise at the wide-receiver spot. But Daniel Petermann also had a solid night, making a couple of sure-handed grabs that could very well earn him a roster spot.

What’s becoming clear is that any concerns the Bombes might have had about losing Matt Coates to injury before camp and Julian Feoli-Gudino to Ottawa in free agency – those two men shared the lone Canadian receiver spot last season – have already been allayed with the collection of new Canuck talent.

4. D-LINE D-DAY DECISIONS

One of the areas where the Bombers have compiled the deepest collection of talent is along the defensive line, and that was on full display Friday night. With Okpalaugo, Johnson, Jeffcoat, Roh and Jake Thomas all left in Winnipeg, the men who did make the trip all took turns making an impact.

Daniel Awoleke was a beast in the middle with two sacks and a knockdown, Sam Montgomery added a sack of his own while Chris Casher and Canadian Trent Corney chipped in with three and four tackles, respectively. The issue now is how much of this talent the Bombers find a way to keep around.

5. FURTHER TO THE ABOVE ^^

Read into this what you will, but defensive tackle Faith Ekakitie, the club’s first-overall draft pick from a year ago, did not make the trip for the final pre-season game. The Bombers will go all American with their starters up front and have both Corney and Thomas as Canadians for depth. Where does that leave Ekakitie?

6. RYAN STAYS

Ryan Lankford was busy early, helping steady the start for Alex Ross and was not only the Bombers most experienced receiver dressed, but their best Friday. Lankford’s kick-return ability had him in a good position when camp opened, and on top of having a solid night with five catches for 52 yards (one reception was behind the line of scrimmage and ruled a run), his return skills and his understanding now of Paul LaPolice’s playbook likely means he’s earned a spot as a specialist and plug-and-play receiver.

7. A HOME FOR GAITOR

The Bombers have some unanswered questions in their secondary, outside of CFL All-Stars Taylor Loffler and Chris Randle, but former Lions defensive back Anthony Gaitor certainly made a case for one of the starting halfback jobs against his old club with superb first quarter before he was replaced.

8. HERE’S JOHNNY

One of the stars of last week’s win over Edmonton was Canadian running back Johnny Augustine, who had 81 yards on eight carries. His numbers weren’t nearly as impressive – he had five carries for 18 yards to lead the Bombers and added three catches – but he did drop one pass. His best run was a nine-yard gallop into traffic that showcased his quickness and toughness. He’s looking up the depth chart at Andrew Harris and Kienan LaFrance, but there is a lot to like with his game.

9. GOOD TAPE, FELIX

The night started off inauspiciously for Bombers kicker Félix Ménard-Brière when he shanked his first punt out of bounds, had his second blocked and his third returned for a touchdown by Chris Rainey – a flag on the play mercifully wiped out the score – while he was also lit up on an attempted block that led to a roughing-the-kicker penalty.

But he responded to hit both his field goal attempts, including a 52-yarder on the last play of the first half.

He had the impossible task of trying to unseat Justin Medlock, but might have put enough on tape to intrigue another CFL team.

10. CUTDOWN DAY LOOMS

The Bombers will most likely announce their roster Saturday or Sunday and then determine their practice roster additions in the days that follow. But those who suited up Friday in Vancouver certainly did two things: 1. They helped their cause and 2. Made the decisions for the coaching staff that much more difficult. In that respect, mission accomplished.