The easiest B.C. Lion to cheer for? Here’s a vote for Andrew Peirson

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Andrew Peirson is an easy guy to root for.

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Peirson is expected to make his sixth-straight start at centre for the B.C. Lions when they visit the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday (12 p.m.) at BMO Field. It will be the 28th career start with the club and the 79th game of Peirson’s seven-year CFL run with the Lions.

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He has been the ever-understanding understudy since joining the Lions as a undrafted free agent out of NCAA Div. II Gannon University in Erie, Penn., waiting his turn and trying to take advantage of those playing time opportunities when they have arisen.

Peirson made five starts at centre as a rookie in 2018, and he has gotten cracks at starting at both right and left guard since, including 13 starts at left guard in 2023.

Through it all, the product of Kingston, Ont., has been an ardent spokesperson for the Lions with the general public, both during the campaign and in the off-season. He won the team’s Jamie Taras Award for community involvement in four of the past five seasons. He is bound to be in the mix again for this time around, considering that in June it was Peirson receiving a King Charles III Coronation Award for his efforts at raising awareness for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

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B.C. has hounded by injuries to the offensive line this year, with starters like centre Michael Couture (hand) and tackle Dejon Allen (triceps) among those on the sidelines currently.

Going into this week, the Lions have given up a league-low 10 sacks, and they are first in the CFL in average gain per carry (5.8 yards). That’s a statement about the efforts of quarterback Nathan Rourke and running back James Butler, but it’s also a statement about the play of the offensive line and guys like Peirson.

The Lions (5-5) are aiming for a third straight win when they face the Argonauts (2-8).

“I’m not going to lie and say that it’s not hard to always the stay the course,” Peirson, 30, explained about his time in a back-up role. “But it’s also about believing in yourself and having that support from my family and my fiancee (Caleigh McGhee), who all believe in me.

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“Personally, I have a goal: I want to win a Grey Cup and I want to do it with this group. I love this organization. They keep bringing me back. Believing in myself, working hard and putting myself in a position to be successful around a great group of guys — you can’t ask for anything better.”

Allen, 31, who was a key trade pick-up from the Argonauts in the off-season, has missed the past seven games. Couture, 31, who was one of B.C.’s top free agent additions ahead of the 2023 season after a six-year turn with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, has been out the past five games.

B.C. has a bye next week, and head coach Buck Pierce isn’t ruling out the idea that the Lions will have more healthy offensive linemen to pick from when they visit the Ottawa Redblacks on Sept. 5.

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It’s difficult to guess what all that could mean for Peirson, although betting against him being a factor on the field big picture has proven a fool’s errand.

“Did I think about how much I was going to play this season? It’s interesting the wording of that,” Peirson said when asked about his preparation for this year. “I didn’t know how much I was going to play, but was I preparing every single day to play? Yes.

“What’s going to happen is going to happen. I’m going to do everything mentally and physically to make sure that when my opportunity comes it’s not going to be taken away. I think that’s what it comes down to.”

Pierce praises Peirson for “how he goes about his business and his willingness to help wherever need.”

“He loves the process of football,” Pierce added. “He loves learning. I think he’s going to be a great coach if he wants to go that route.

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“He’s just the type of guy you want on your offensive line. And how he interacts with every position group is great to see.”

Peirson popped the marriage question to McGhee three weeks ago, during a trip to Tofino while the Lions were on their bye week. She’s a neonatal intensive care nurse in Toronto. Peirson talks about how they have found ways to make their relationship work while they both chase after their career goals.

Didn’t we mention earlier that this was an easy story to cheer for?

“It makes everything so much easier when I have someone in my corner that says, ‘Let’s go get it,’” Peirson explained. “I need to give her all the flowers. She’s right over my shoulder the whole time saying, ‘You got it, you got it,’ and maybe the odd, ‘I can’t believe you aren’t playing more.’

“It definitely all boils down to having my partner in crime.”

@Seveves

SEwen@postmedia.com

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