The Waterloo Warriors showed some steely resolve and some stout defense in their season-opening game against the Ottawa Gee-Gees, but it just wasn't quite enough to earn the black and gold a victory.
The Gee-Gees used a solid first quarter and some high-end defence of their own, as they upended the Warriors 29-10 on Sunday afternoon in Ottawa. Despite the story that the final score might tell, the Warriors hung right with one of the OUA's preseason favourites for much of the afternoon, narrowing their deficit to just six points for much of the fourth quarter. But a turnover on downs and a pick-6 led to ten late points for the Gee-Gees, and a less-flattering final tally than the Warriors deserved.
Defense was the story of the day for the visiting Warriors, led by the lights-out play of Tyson Hergott (Waterloo, ON/). The hulking defensive end registered four solo tackles, a sack that forced a fumble, and an interception for Waterloo, who held Ottawa at bay for most of the afternoon. But the Gee-Gees responded with some big-time play of their own on the defensive side of the ball, as they registered 3 sacks and 6 tackles for lost yardage, while intercepting Waterloo pivot Nolan Kaban (Calgary, AB/) four times. Ottawa also took advantage of some special teams miscues from Warerloo, as the Warriors lost two fumbles via a pair of muffed punts.
On the offensive side, Warriors receiver Justin Succar (Niagara Falls, ON/) caught eight balls for 89 yards and a touchdown for the Warriors, while Kaban went 21-38 for 216 yards passing for Waterloo. Rookie running back Quentin Springer led the rushing attack for the Warriors, galloping for 65 yards on just nine carries.
Ottawa's offense was sparked by Amlicar Pope, who rushed for 142 yards on 22 carries – including a long 46-yard major in the first quarter. Gee-Gees starting quarterback Ben Maracle went 4-4 with a touchdown early on, but was forced to leave the game after going down with an injury in the opening quarter. Backup Ryan Licandro went 12-25 for 133 yards and an interception in relief.
The Warriors' defense looked ready from the jump, forcing an early 2-and-out on the season's first possession. But the visitors couldn't contain the ensuing punt, and Ottawa hopped on the muffed kick to give their offense another shot with a short field. Four plays later, Maracle found Maxim Malenfant for a 16-yard major, and although the Warriors blocked the PAT attempt, Ottawa had an early 6-0 lead.
The Gee-Gees doubled their advantage later in the first quarter, as Kaban was sacked on a third-down play near mid-field. On the next play, Pope broke off his 46-yard scamper to make it 12-0, although the Warriors were again able to block the PAT attempt from Campbell Fair. The Warriors were then forced to concede a safety, making the score 14-0 after the first quarter of action.
Early in the second, it was Ottawa's turn to get in on the block party, as the 48-yard attempt from Waterloo kicker Cole Crossett (Metcalfe, ON/) was turned away by the Gee-Gees. After Waterloo's second muffed punt of the half set up another short field for the hosts, Fair added a single for the Gee-Gees on a missed a 35-yard field goal. After Fair added another single on 29-yard miss later in the second, the Warriors moved the ball effectively on an 11-play, 67-yard drive near the end of the half. But again, the Crossett field goal attempt was blocked – this time from 15 yards out – and Waterloo trailed 16-0 at the half.
Waterloo's defense came out on fire in the second half, forcing punts on back-to-back Ottawa drives to start the third quarter. It seemed to spark the Warriors offense, as a jet sweep pitch play from Kaban to Succar went for 47 yards, all the way down to the Ottawa 8-yard line. On the very next play, Kaban connected with Succar on a slant for the major, and the Warriors were right back in it, trailing 16-7.
The rest of the third quarter was owned by Hergott, as he snuffed out two consecutive Ottawa drives via turnovers. First, he alertly dropped into coverage and took advantage of a tipped ball by the Waterloo pass rush to haul in his first career interception. Then, after a Warriors punt, on the very next offensive snap for Ottawa, Hergott levelled Licandro and popped the ball loose, with Jack Andrews (Thorold, ON/) recovering. The second of Hergott's forced turnovers led to a 28-yard field goal from Crossett, cutting the deficit to 16-10 through three quarters.
The Waterloo defense didn't relent, but the Gee-Gees matched them stop-for-stop early in the fourth. After Kevin Anderson intercepted Kaban near midfield, Fair extended the advantage to two scores with a 29-yard field goal to make the score 19-10 with just over four minutes to play. Waterloo continued to press, but a turnover on downs led to another big Polk run, and another Fair field goal to extend the Gee-Gees' lead to 22-10. Then, in the game's final minute, Patrick Cumberbatch intercepted Kaban and took it back the other way for a major to round out the scoring.
The Warriors will now look to shake off the opening-day loss and get back in the win column when they open up the home portion of their schedule against the York Lions next Sunday, Spetember 3. Kickoff is slated for 6pm at Warrior Field.
