Matt Dionne | Sports and Health Editor
Featured image: The sixth and final playoff spot in the OUA standings was on the line but the Lions failed to grasp it. | Courtesy of York Lions
The Lions wrapped up their 2016 football season on Saturday when they took on the Gryphons in Guelph. York was unable to get much done offensively, and were only able to muster eight points in the 52-8 loss.
Guelph opened the scoring less than six minutes into the first quarter on a field goal from kicker Gabriel Ferraro.
Just two minutes later, running back Johnny Augustin punched the ball in from nine yards out for the first major score of the game to give the Gryphons a 10-0 lead.
Augustin and the Gryphons opened the scoring in the second quarter as well, as the Guelph running back punched it in again, this time from just one yard out, to make the score 17-0 in favor of the Gryphons.
Guelph would add another touchdown, as well as a field goal, before the end of the half to make the score 27-0 going into the break.
In the third quarter, the Lions offense finally found a bit of a rhythm, as quarterback Brett Hunchak connected with first-year running back Kayden Johnson for a six-yard score to cut the lead to three touchdowns.
That would be it, as York would add just a single point courtesy of veteran kicker Nick Naylor en route to another blowout loss.
After York’s hot start to the season when they beat Waterloo by more than 40 points, many thought the Lions were ready to turn a corner, including former Lion and current Toronto Argonaut Jamal Campbell.
But a tough schedule down the stretch and some inconsistent play from the offence caused the team to miss out on the playoffs for another consecutive year.
Despite their poor finish, the Lions saw a lot of promise this season, and they finished with their best record since the 2013 season.
The offense was able to break the 50-point plateau twice this year, and with a young core, including second-year quarterback Hunchak, who’s shown flashes of greatness, the Lions could develop into a dominant force over the next few years.
