HLG (Hermes) » yet to thrown an interception in his brief CFL caree

SURREY, B.C. -- B.C. Lions quarterback Thomas DeMarco is looking forward to taking centre stage again Friday against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers -- but hes not promising an encore grand performance in his second CFL start. "I have one game under my belt," said DeMarco after B.C.s last full practice Wednesday. "Im not a veteran. Theres certain things I still have to get used to but, having the success of last game and building off of that, Im hoping to keep it going." DeMarco, a second-year pro who is filling in for injured starter Travis Lulay (shoulder), led the Lions to a last-play 24-22 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina last weekend. The 24-year-old was calm under pressure as he led the Lions down field and completed a third-and-long pass to set up Paul McCallums winning field goal. But DeMarco is not getting too excited about his press clippings. "The biggest thing is, in a short week, you just got to take a few things you wanna work on that were going to do in this game -- and make sure that you limit your mistakes quickly and have a very keen sense to focusing on this game," he said. "So right now, that last game I had, its over with, done with, and now Im focused on Winnipeg." If the Lions (8-4) can beat the Bombers (2-10) for a second time this season, they will gain a share of first place in the West Division, at least temporarily, with the Calgary Stampeders. DeMarco is starting to feel more comfortable with B.C.s offence after taking the starters reps in practice this week. "The more accustomed that I get to running the show and making sure that I have those reps, its only going to get better from here," he said. Coach Mike Benevides tried to get DeMarco and the rest of his team accustomed to playing in Winnipegs new stadium by pumping in loud music during practice. The quarterback handled the hostile environs in Regina, save for some first-half troubles, without a glaring amount of difficulty. He is expecting another rowdy crowd in the Manitoba capital. "I thought we did well with that (crowd in Regina)," he said. "Its going to be a passionate crowd, just like it was in Saskatchewan. We love playing in front of them. We like the excitement thats going to happen. Were going to do the same thing (a silent count) we did in Saskatchewan. We had a pretty good sense of how to communicate, and I think we should be fine." But he suggested his unspoken communication with receivers is still a work in progress. He could also have to get used to some receivers in different roles. Paris Jackson is slated to go in at wide receiver as Marco Iannuzzi deals with a leg injury suffered on a key late punt return against the Roughriders. Manny Arceneaux, who missed the game in Saskatchewan, is also questionable after aggravating a groin injury late in practice Wednesday. But Benevides believes DeMarco, who was never drafted in the NFL and needed six pro tryouts, the last with B.C. in adverse weather in the Washington, D.C., area, to get a contract, can shine again. Benevides lauded DeMarco for his efforts in last weekends win over Saskatchewan and a strong relief appearance in place of the injured Lulay in a victory over Montreal a week earlier. "It hasnt surprised me, because Ive seen Thomas always come through when hes been challenged," said Benevides. "Any time any quarterback can do what he did in that environment with 38 seconds left, (its) tremendously impressive. The last two games hes been in, hes been giving us a chance to really protect the football, and Im looking for him to continue to grow, because with more repetitions and success in games, the more confidence comes along." DeMarco, an Old Dominion product, has competed 24-of-44 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns this season. He has yet to thrown an interception in his brief CFL career. Benevides said the young signal-caller has not let the added pressure of being a starter get to him. "Thomas has got an outstanding level of confidence," said Benevides. "He also has a quirky personality. He kind of lets (things) roll off his back, and hes got a tremendous sense of humour." But a flu bug within the team has not been a laughing matter. Backup quarterback Buck Pierce, who is slated to return to Winnipeg after a trade earlier this month, was sick Wednesday and stayed away from practice. "Its the first time Ive taken this many reps since training camp," said backup QB Joey Elliott. "So it was good to actually get back in there." Pierce is still slated to travel with the team Thursday. But Elliott, who was released by the Bombers after last season, is making sure that he is prepared just in case. "If Buck is down, Ill be ready to go," said Elliott. "But with it just a basic cold, Buck should be ready to go, and I know hes really excited to be heading back to Winnipeg." Max Hall is slated to get the call for Winnipeg, which has had many struggles at the quarterback position this season. But the Lions are also preparing for Justin Goltz, who started against them at B.C. Place in August. Benevides said the team has studied Hall mostly, because he has seen most of the action between the two. But nickleback Korey Banks said it does not matter which quarterback they face. "Were past that now," said Banks. "Were into the point now where were going to prepare for ourselves. ... If were on our Ps and Qs, were gonna win." Notes: The Lions will head straight to Winnipegs new stadium to check it out after arriving Thursday. ... Special teams player Tim Cronk will get into the lineup as a result of Stu Foords knee injury suffered in Saskatchewan. ... B.C. defensive back Dante Marsh is questionable after leaving practice early with an injury that Benevides didnt have details on. Cheap Kansas City Chiefs Jerseys . The Toronto Blue Jays general manager made a series of bold moves that reshaped the club ahead of what would turn out to be a disastrous 2013 campaign. Cheap Chiefs Jerseys China . CEO Steve Koonin on Tuesday told the Hawks flagship radio station that he made the decision to discipline Ferry but allowed him to keep his job managing the team. He did not say what the punishment was, but noted that he relied on a law firms three-month investigation of Ferry and him describing Deng as someone who has a little African in him. http://www.cheapchiefsjerseysauthentic.com/.J. -- Tom Coughlin doesnt have many options at halfback for the winless New York Giants. Authentic Chiefs Jerseys China . Dancevic won his singles match on Friday, defeating Go Soeda 6-4, 7-6 (2), 6-1, to even the best-of-five series at a game apiece. World No. 18 Kei Nishikori defeated Peter Polansky in the opening match, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Kansas City Chiefs Jerseys China .Brady threw a 69-yard touchdown pass to Julian Edelman midway through the fourth quarter, and New England beat the San Diego Chargers 23-14 for its eighth win in nine games.Denver, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried was able to carry the momentum from his starring role on Team USA this summer into the NBA regular season. Faried had 22 points, 17 rebounds and four assists in Denvers season-opening 89-79 win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. Fresh off helping the United States win gold and earning All-Tournament honors at the FIBA World Cup, Faried was at his best for the playoff-hopeful Nuggets. Denver missed the postseason a year ago, finishing with 21 fewer wins than thhe 2012-13 season while dealing with a number of injuries.dddddddddddd Finally healthy, these Nuggets have hopes to contend in a crowded Western Conference. Arron Afflalo chipped in 15 points and Timofey Mozgov tallied 13 and 11 rebounds. All 12 Nuggets that took the floor scored at least two points. Josh Smith netted a game-high 25 points to lead Detroit, which was without forward Greg Monroe, who is serving a suspension for a DUI arrest last February and is out for the first two games of this season. ' ' '