After the last two Battles of Waterloo were decided by late-game heroics, football fans in the Waterloo Region might have been expecting another nail-biting finish when the nationally-ranked neighbours met for the first time in 2021. But thanks to a clinical performance from the Waterloo Warriors, this edition was far less dramatic. 

The Warriors used a comprehensive effort on both sides of the ball to defeat the host Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks 36-12 in a rainy Battle of Waterloo at Knight-Newbrough field on Saturday afternoon. 

The Waterloo defense was downright dominant, coming away with four interceptions and three sacks of Laurier rookie pivot Taylor Elgersma. Meanwhile, the Warriors' offense was clicking on all cylinders, as Waterloo put up 501 total yards of offense, while holding Laurier to 268 yards on the day.

Warriors quarterback Tre Ford (Niagara Falls/) had another stat-stuffing day, as the dual threat passed for 210 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing 12 times for 169 yards on the ground. James Basalyga (Thunder Bay/) hauled in three balls for 110 yards and a pair of majors, while Justin Succar (Welland/) and Anthony Miller (Brampton/) both scored their first career touchdowns.

But it was the Waterloo defense that stole the show, led by rookie linebacker James Hinsperger (Waterloo/). The youngest of three Hinspergers to suit up for the black and gold this season ended two consecutive Laurier drives with interceptions in the third quarter, while adding 7.5 tackles - tied for the team-high with veteran Michael Reid (Sault Ste. Marie/). Tyrell Ford (Niagara Falls/) and Andy Melo (Georgetown/) also came up with picks, and the Waterloo special teams unit even came through in a big way with a blocked punt.

The Warriors took just three plays from scrimmage to take the lead, as Ford found Basalyga down the sideline for a 76-yard bomb just minutes after the opening kickoff. Then, with the score at 8-3 early in the second quarter, Succar took the short Ford toss and broke several tackles on the way to a hard-earned 15-yard major. 

Later in the second frame, after kicker Cole Crossett (Ottawa/) capped consecutive possessions with a 40-yard field goal and a rouge, Greg Caruso (Sault Ste. Marie/) burst through and got a clean punt block off the foot of Laurier punter Dawson Hodge. With a short field to work with and the rain falling heavier, Ford handed off to Miller on five consecutive plays, capped off by an incredible third-and-goal effort to break the plane and make it 27-3 Waterloo. A last-second toss from Elgersma to Radian Thorne gave Laurier their first touchdown of the afternoon, making the score 27-10 at the half.

But any momentum the hosts had hoped to capture was soon reversed in the third, as the Waterloo defence began the turnover parade. First, Tyrell Ford (Niagara Falls/) picked off Elgersma, setting up a 15-yard Crossett field goal to make it 30-10. Then, Hinsperger ended consecutive Laurier possessions with interceptions, including one on the final play of the third quarter at the Hawks' 30-yard line.

Ford wasted no time turning the second Hinsperger pick into points, finding Basalyga for a 30-yard touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter, making the score 36-10. From there, the Waterloo defense went into shutdown mode, putting away the Hawks in a dominant performance on the road. 

The 2-0 Warriors will now turn their attention to the defending Yates Cup champions, as they'll travel to Hamilton to face the McMaster Marauders on Saturday, October 2. Kickoff from Ron Joyce Stadium is slated for 1pm.