Uzodinma Ukagwu | Sports Editor
Featured Image: Lions beat Windsor Lancers for first win after opening three games. | Courtesy of YorkU Lions
The Lions football team recorded their first win of the season, as they defeated the Windsor Lancers 29-22, at home on Friday evening, in front of a raucous home-crowd, hungry for a victory.
The Lions started strong, scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter, to take a 14-0 lead. The first touchdown was courtesy of running back Kayden Johnson, who scampered across the goal line from a yard out.
The second touchdown came with 23 seconds to go in the opening quarter, courtesy of the Hunchak-to-Hunchak connection, as quarterback Brett threw a six-yard pass to his brother, Colton.
Two minutes into the second quarter, Brett scored his first rushing touchdown of the season, running from nine yards out. Kicker Dante Mastrogiusep added the extra point, as the Lions extended their lead to three majors.
The Lancers finally broke the Lions shutout four minutes into the second, when quarterback Sam Girard, fired a twenty-two-yard bullet to receiver Tristan Carter for the score.
The Lancers defence picked up the intensity, and increased the pressure, which resulted in a pair of safeties, cutting the Lions’ lead to just 10 points.
Early in the third quarter, the Lancers cut into the Lions’ lead again, as Girard added another passing score, this time an 11-yard dime to Brandon Speller, trimming York’s lead to just three points.
However, the Lions finally responded towards the end of the third quarter, as Brett scored his third touchdown of the game—a six-yard pass to Alex Daley, restoring their 10-point lead.
The Lancers offence desperately tried to even the score late in the fourth, but the Lions defence held strong, holding Windsor to just a field goal and a rouge, as the game ended 29-22 in favour of the Lions.
During the game, Colton made Lions history by becoming York’s all-time reception leader, with 126 receptions. This was after his brother, Brett, also added his name to the annals of history last week, by setting the Lions all-time marks for career passing yards and completions.
Head Coach Warren Craney credits the win to better second-half play, which he believes was lacking in the team’s first two games.
The Lions face a tough test this week, as they’ll be on the road, taking on the defending Varnier Cup Champions, the Western Mustangs, on Saturday, September 15. Kick-off is at 1 p.m.
