If the Waterloo Warriors football program wants to use the 2022 season to prove that they're deeper than their recently-graduated star power, then they made quite the opening argument against the York Lions.
Waterloo scored 29 points in the first 23:39 of the game, and all three phases came up with momentum-shifting plays as the Warriors cruised to a dominant 41-8 victory on Saturday afternoon at Lions Stadium.
Newly-anointed starting quarterback Nolan Kaban (Calgary/) threw for four touchdowns in his first OUA start after taking over for generational pivot Tre Ford (Niagara Falls, ON/). OUA all-star James Basalyga (Thunder Bay/) hauled in three of Kaban's majors, registering 110 yards receiving on the day. And, the Warriors' new offensive line helped the visitors scamper for 171 yards on the day, led by Nicklas Sua's (Nepean/) 10 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown.
While the focus was always going to be on Kaban and the offense, it was Waterloo's other two personnel units that made some of the biggest statements of the day. The defense allowed a paltry 127 yards of offense from York, including just 96 yards through the air. Meanwhile, the special teams unit came up with a huge punt block in the first quarter, courtesy of Anesu Latmore (Ottawa/).
Jack Hinsperger (Waterloo/) secured a first-quarter interception, and Tyson Hergott (Waterloo/) was constantly in the York backfield – he racked up a sack and three total tackles for lost yardage.
The Warriors placed an added emphasis on fast starts this year, and they wasted no time putting that to practice – after forcing an opening two-and-out, Kaban and the offense found the end zone almost immediately when Sua scored on a 6-yard dash.
Another two-and-out ensued, only this time, Latmore broke through and blocked the punt to set Waterloo up on the York 20. The offense again took advantage of the short field, as Kaban found Gordon Lam (Kitchener/) for a 5-yard touchdown strike.
Hinsperger's pick came on the next play from scrimmage, leading to a 16-yard field goal from Cole Crossett (Ottawa/), and a 15-0 Waterloo lead. On Waterloo's next possession, Kaban rolled to his right and fired downfield to Basalyga for a 35-yard scoring play, making it 22-0 for Waterloo after the first quarter.
A bad snap on a Lions punt formation gave the Warriors a goal-to-go situation, and it took exactly one play for Kaban to pull back the play-action and find Basalyga from 7 yards out. Another Crossett boot – this one from 17 yards – gave the Warriors a 32-0 lead at the half.
The Lions got on the board late in the third quarter, courtesy of a Melchis Ilunga 24-yard touchdown run. The ensuing extra-point and single on the kickoff made it 32-8, but the Warriors would soon extinguish any hope of a comeback from the hosts.
Another bad snap on a York punt went through the back of the end zone for a safety, tacking on two more points for the Warriors. Then, later in the fourth, Kaban threaded a strike to a streaking Basalyga on a deep crossing route, and the Thunder Bay native did the rest – 69 yards to the house, rounding out the scoring.
The Warriors will now make good use of their early bye week, as they'll sit out the labour day schedule in preparation for their home opener against the Guelph Gryphons. Kickoff is at 1pm at Warrior Field.
