Warriors fall to Gee-Gees in home opener

Box Score On the day before the province's children head back to school, the youthful Waterloo Warriors football team got a tough lesson from the Ottawa Gee-Gees.

OUA All-star quarterback Derek Wendel threw for 389 yards and five touchdowns as the Gee-Gees ruined the Warriors' home opener with a 65-1 victory on Labour Day Monday at Warrior Field.

Ottawa's potent passing game had the Warriors behind the eight-ball from the opening kickoff, as the Gee-Gees outgained Waterloo 499 yards to 72 through the air. Receiver Mitchell Baines had a game-high 139 yards and a touchdown, highlighted by a diving grab along the sideline in the first quarter. Four other Gee-Gees caught TD passes, led by Luke Ffrench's two.

For the Warriors, the game was not without its bright spots – namely, rookie running back Dion Pellerin (Abbotsford). The true freshman was a force for Waterloo on the ground, rushing for 105 yards on just 16 carries. Pellerin also added 64 yards on 3 kick returns, rounding out an impressive all-around day.

The Gee-Gees opened up an early lead with a pair of touchdowns in the first quarter, from Ffrench and running back Bryce Viera. But in the second quarter, Wendel erupted for three touchdown passes, bookened by a pair of Lewis Ward field goals, to make the score 41-1 at the half.

Wendel and the Gee-Gees starters remained in the game for most of the third quarter, as the Gee-Gees added two more touchdowns – the first, a short pass to offensive lineman Nickson Silva, who had lined up as an eligible receiver in a goalline set. Backup quarterback Victor Twynstra came in for Wendel and scampered for a 21-yard touchdown himself, before finding Tyler McLaren for an 86-yard pitch-and-catch major in the fourth.

On the defensive side of the ball, Ottawa's Cody Cranston had two of the Gee-Gees three interceptions on the day. He was a constant thorn in the side of Waterloo QB Lucas McConnell (Waterford), who finished 8-25 for 73 yards.

The Warriors defence was led by local rookie linebacker Kurtis Gray (Waterloo). The Resurrection High School star registered 7 solo tackles (7.5 total), while fellow rookie linebacker Michael Reid (Sault Ste. Marie) counted 6 solo and 7 total tackles.

The Warriors will now turn their attention to next week's matchup in London against the Western Mustangs. Game time from TD stadium is slated for 1pm.

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Players Mentioned

#46 Kurtis Gray: 6' 3"; First Year; 1

#7 Lucas McConnell: 6' 0"; Third Year; 3

#28 Dion Pellerin: 5' 11"; First Year; 1

#38 Michael Reid: 5' 11"; First Year; 1

Players Mentioned

#46 Kurtis Gray
: 6' 3"; First Year; 1

#7 Lucas McConnell
: 6' 0"; Third Year; 3

#28 Dion Pellerin
: 5' 11"; First Year; 1

#38 Michael Reid
: 5' 11"; First Year; 1

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned