For more than two decades, the York University football program has been like Wile E. Coyote: sprinting and scheming, but inevitably getting flattened. But this year looked different. York finally had a gunslinger, a box office quarterback who could win you games, and for a brief moment, it looked like the Lions were actually going to make the playoffs.
The Lions started the season strong, including a dramatic overtime win against U of T, powered by Keagan Hall’s ability to come in clutch. The York Lions were heading into a game against the Carleton Ravens 2-1. A win would have put the Lions in a good position to clinch their first playoff berth since Paul Martin was Prime Minister. But if there is one thing York football fans know, it’s never to get their hopes too high
York were the favourites entering into this game. The Ravens came into the game fresh off a 63-26 beatdown by the Western Mustangs, and York had an extra week to rest. One would think this was going to be an easy win for the Lions, but instead they gave up not one, but two 100+ yard touchdowns from Tristan Lefebvre and Keyshawn Reid. Things took a turn for the worse when Hall went down with an injury and did not return to the game. The Ravens took control and ran riot, ultimately defeating York 48-36. After the Carleton loss, the Lions slipped to 2-2. While the playoff dream was alive, it became more fragile.
The next game was against the Queen’s Gaels in Kingston, the Lions’ first game without Hall. In what can only be described as a humbling experience, the Lions were demolished 57-5 by the Gaels. The Lions dropped below the 500 mark for the first time this season. With Hall, they’re Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. Without him, they’re Kevin Hart — entertaining, but not built to carry the load.
This past weekend, the Lions travelled to Waterloo to face the 1-5 Warriors. Hall was back as the starting quarterback, and considering the fact they were facing the second-worst team in the OUA, you’d think it would be a straight win for York. Well, they lost 33-34, after conceding a touchdown in the dying minutes of the game. The craziest part? York were up 15-3 going into the final quarter of the game.
A playoff berth is not impossible, but the path has definitely gotten steeper. The Lions return to the York Lions Stadium to face none other than the mighty Western Mustangs, who are undefeated this season and are wreaking havoc wherever they go. York might have to get Ja’Maar Chase, Justin Jefferson and Pat Surtain II to enroll in York courses if they want to win that matchup. The Lions will end the regular season at Guelph.
At the start of the season, it looked like York’s road to the playoffs would be a walk in the park, all rainbows and sunshine, but now they have dragons to slay and mountains to climb before they reach the promised land, just like the Blue Jays, who gave everyone a panic attack before they could claim the division.
All we can do now is wish them the best and hope they end the 21-year playoff drought.
