Three Stars: Trevor Harris, Keon Raymond and Brandon Banks light up Week One

With another CFL season under way, it's time to bring back our regular Three Stars feature. Here's a look at the top offensive, defensive, special teams and Canadian players of Week One. 

First star/offensive player of the week: Trevor Harris, quarterback, Toronto Argonauts: A big question once starting quarterback Ricky Ray was placed on the six-game injured list was how well the Argos would do in his absence, but Harris certainly provided a positive answer Saturday in Toronto's 26-11 win over Edmonton. He completed 24 of 27 passes (88.9 per cent, the second-highest single-game mark in Argos' history) for 347 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, and he spread the ball around to eight different receivers. There were plenty of impressive offensive showings this week, but Harris' performance stood out. If he can keep playing like this, the Argos may not miss Ray as much as many thought.

(Honourable mentions: Drew Willy, QB, Winnipeg; Brandon Whitaker, RB, Toronto; Jeff Fuller, WR, Calgary.)

Second star/defensive player of the week: Keon Raymond, linebacker, Calgary Stampeders: Raymond has been known for plenty of spectacular interception returns over the years, and he turned in another one in Calgary's 24-23 win against Hamilton Friday night, picking off Zach Collaros and taking the ball back 97 yards for a touchdown. That defensive touchdown, the seventh of his career with the Stampeders, made him Calgary's all-time franchise leader in that category. It was only a small part of what he did Friday, though; Raymond also had six defensive tackles, second-best on the team, and he added two special-teams tackles. He's a crucial part of the Stampeders' often-underrated success, and he helped them pull off a narrow win this week.

(Honourable mentions: Johnny Sears Jr., DB, Hamilton; Charleston Hughes, DE, Calgary; Craig Butler, DB, Hamilton.)

Third star/special teams player of the week: Brandon Banks, punt returner/kick returner, Hamilton Tiger-Cats: Banks came awfully close to giving the Tiger-Cats a Grey Cup win over Calgary last year before his punt return TD was called back thanks to an illegal block, and he delivered another spectacular punt return touchdown against the Stampeders Friday night, taking a punt back 67 yards for a score. His other three punt return attempts against Calgary only totaled 11 yards, but he added 50 further return yards on three kick returns. His return ability should give the Ticats some great moments on special teams this season.

(Honourable mentions: Rene Paredes, K, Calgary; Chris Williams, PR/KR, Ottawa; Rob Maver, P, Calgary.)

Bonus star/Canadian player of the week: Jerome Messam, running back, Saskatchewan Roughriders: Messam didn't get a ton of touches in the Riders' 30-26 loss to Winnipeg Saturday, but he made the best of the ones he got. He had four carries for 75 yards and a touchdown and also caught three passes for 36 yards. If Saskatchewan's going to survive the loss of Darian Durant for the season, they'll need a strong running game, and Messam's powerful style may be a good contrast for the quicker, outside-focused approach of Anthony Allen. He certainly helped provide a good balance for them Saturday night.

(Honourable mentions: Andy Fantuz, SB, Hamilton; Rene Paredes, K, Calgary; Craig Butler, DB, Hamilton.)

Stay tuned for next week's Three Stars, and if you'd like to nominate a candidate during the week's games, contact me via Twitter ore-mail. Thanks for reading!