Alexander Colle | Sports Editor
Featured Image: The Lions offence only managed to score three points in their match against the Mustangs. | Courtesy of York Lions
The Lions were heavy underdogs in a home matchup against last year’s Yates Cup finalists, the Western Mustangs. The game ended in an absolute blowout, resulting in a 66-3 loss in front of the York faithful. Not since a 76-0 loss on October 16, 2010 against the same Mustangs have the Lions suffered such a rousing defeat in their home opener.
The ‘Stangs came out of the gate strong, and it didn’t take long for the game to get out of hand for the Lions.
Both the Mustangs defensive and offensive units put unrelenting pressure on the Lions in the first quarter. After Mustangs quarterback Chris Merchant, who finished the game 11-23 for 221 yards and two touchdowns, heaved a 54-yard bomb to wide receiver Brett Ellerman. The Mustangs defence responded on the next drive with a pick-6; intercepting Lions quarterback Brett Hunchak, and taking it 43-yards to the house.
All the Lions managed to muster in response was a single field goal in the dying seconds of the half, bringing the score to 34-3.
As expected, the Mustangs didn’t take their foot off the gas in the second half, scoring four more touchdowns, including a 75-yard bomb from Mustangs backup quarterback Stevenson Bone, who finished the game 4-4 for 151 passing yards and one touchdown.
His counterpart, Hunchak, completed 15 of his 31 attempts for 176 yards, no touchdowns, and a pair of interceptions. The final result saw a 66-3 loss in front of a York crowd that saw roughly 800 attendees.
“We played one of the best football teams in the country, and they showed us why they’re one of the best,” said Lions head coach Warren Craney.
“I’m not happy with the way we played on special teams. I won’t say it cost us the game, but it was definitely a major contributing factor to the score. The game got out of hand on four special team blunders in the first half.
“I thought our offense played extremely well. We didn’t get any points other than the field goal, but we controlled the clock, which is what we wanted them to do against this football team. They got first downs and dug us out of holes.
“In defence, we battled in the first half. The second half was a let down, but it’s nothing we can’t fix.”
Despite the gloomy result of the game, Craney was hopeful that a sense of confidence is all the team needs to get back on their feet.
“We’re a really, really talented football team, and they need to start believing that they belong here. Once that happens, things are going to turn around.
“We’re going to correct this whole Western game. We’re going to point out their mistakes and we’re going to fix them. We’re going to go hard on them,” he added.
Things don’t get any easier for the Lions in their next game, as they find themselves facing off against a tough Gee-Gees team that finished last season with a record of 6-2. Kickoff starts at 1:00 p.m. on September 9 at Alumni Field.
