Alexander Colle | Sports Editor
Featured Image: A late scoring run from the Gee-Gees at Alumni Field hands the Lions their third loss of the season. | Courtesy of York Lions
A late field goal and touchdown by the ninth-ranked Ottawa Gee-Gees handed the Lions their third consecutive loss in the early season by a score of 26-17.
Despite recording more first downs and total yards throughout the entire game, York failed to capitalize on several chances that could have resulted in their first win of the season.
This was evident right from the beginning of the Saturday afternoon affair: when York drove the ball 57 yards, which resulted in a missed 38-yard field goal by kicker Dante Mastrogiuseppe. This began a slow back-and-forth first quarter, where the only scoring came in the form of a one-point rouge by the Gee-Gees mid-way through the quarter.
However, the excitement picked up in the second quarter when Mastrogiuseppe converted a 27-yard field goal in the first two minutes. The Gee-Gees responded with a 75-yard drive of their own, which was capped off by a one-yard passing touchdown from quarterback Victor Twynstra—his first and only touchdown of the game.
The Lions were pinned deep in their own end on the ensuing drive, and ended up failing to convert on second down—however, they decided to go for it on third and six from their own 13-yard line. Unfortunately, the gutsy move didn’t pay off, as Ottawa sent the house, forcing the Lions backwards, resulting in a safety.
It was in the late minutes of the quarter when York managed to tie the game up with a touchdown drive, highlighted by an electrifying 19-yard run by Lions running back Kayden Johnson and capped off by a 13-yard toss by quarterback Brett Hunchack.
The second half saw the ninth-ranked Gee-Gees come out on top early with a 59-yard drive, which resulted in a field goal.
After trading possessions, the Gee-Gees found the ball in their hands when linebacker Khadim Mbaye picked off Hunchack at York’s 33-yard line, which was one of his three interceptions of the afternoon. This play resulted in a Gee-Gees field goal, bringing the score to 16-10.
Similar to the first half touchdown drive, the Lions responded again with a 75-yard touchdown drive, highlighted by a 30-yard rush by running back Jesse Amankwaa and capped off by a six-yard touchdown by Hunchack to Amankwaa.
Despite losing the lead, the Gee-Gees showed why they’re a top-10 team in the OUA in the fourth quarter, exhibiting composure on the defensive end and intercepting Hunchack twice more, and holding the Lions scoreless for five consecutive drives.
On the offensive end, they responded with a field goal midway through the quarter, which gave them a one-point lead.
The game was finally put out of reach in the final minute when Ottawa running back Donald Shaw ran 35 yards to the house for a touchdown, making the score 26-17, which would become the final.
Hunchack finished the game with 22 completions on 34 attempts and 263 passing yards, with two touchdowns and three interceptions. His counterpart Twynstra finished 17 for 33 with 167 yards and one touchdown.
Both running backs carried the ball and their teams in this game, as the Gee-Gee’s Shaw ran for 138 yards while the Lions’ Amankwaa ran for 159 yards.
“I thought they battled,” said Lions head coach Warren Craney about his team’s performance. “Our coaches had a good game plan and we executed it almost flawlessly. If we could have been a little more disciplined, I think we could have won this game. We definitely deserved a better fate,” he added.
The Lions look to break into the win column after their bye-week against the Toronto Varsity Blues for the 48th annual Red & Blue Bowl.
Kick-off is set for 1:00 p.m. on September 23 at Alumni Field.
