The York University Lions football team will try to make it two wins in a row on Friday when they host the Carleton Ravens for the team's School Day Game.
 
Kick-off is set for 1pm at Alumni Field and the game can also be seen online at OUA.tv.
 
The Lions are riding high this week after a thrilling victory in their last game against the Waterloo Warriors by a score of 34-32. The game was full of momentum changes and wasn't decided until the final seconds when Lions rookie Matt Dean blocked a field goal attempt by Warriors kicker Caleb Girard to seal the win and send the Homecoming game crowd into a frenzy. The win kept the Lions alive in the OUA playoff hunt, but with a 2-4 record they likely have to run the table the rest of the way to qualify for post-season action.
 
The Ravens meanwhile will be looking to stop a two-game slide that has seen them drop to fourth place in the OUA standings with a 4-3 record. Carleton lost its season opener in overtime against the Western Mustangs by a score of 26-23 before reeling off a four-game winning streak. However, they've lost the last two games against their rivals the Ottawa Gee-Gee's in Week 6 and were upset by the Laurier Golden Hawks in Week 7. The Ravens are the only team in the OUA that hasn't had a bye week yet in the regular season, so it's possible the team could be slowing down at the tail-end of a grueling 2018 schedule.
 
York on the other hand should come into the game well-rested after a Week 7 bye. The break and an extra week of preparation should have the Lions primed and ready to play a team that has been near the top of the standings since Week 2 of the season. While the Lions defence has struggled at times this season, their win against the Warriors showed the league the defensive unit can be a force to be reckoned with. They slowed down a top-ranked Warriors offence in the first-half of the game and came through at big moments in the second-half. Fifth-year senior Rees Paterson had a huge game on defence for the Lions, leading the team with 7.5 tackles and breaking up two passes in the second half, while defensive back Jacob Janke, defensive end Rossini Sandjong-Djabome and linebacker Ian Lawrence all had strong games as well with six tackles each.
 
They will have to contend with a Carleton offence that is ranked fourth in the OUA in points per game with 31.4. The Ravens offence is led by second-year quarterback Michael Arruda who has thrown for 2,070 yards passing and 14 touchdown passes on the season and running back Nathan Carter who has averaged 4.9 yards per carry this season and ranks second in the OUA with 628 rushing yards. The Ravens offensive production has been consistent so far this season, as the team's lowest points total was 21 in a Week 3 win against Waterloo, and their highest was 42 the following week against the Queen's Gaels.
 
On the other side of the field the Lions offence will be led by the record-breaking Hunchak brothers who continue to re-write the York record books. Last game against the Warriors, Colton Hunchak set the single-season record for receptions, breaking the record of 44 by former wide receiver Steven Hughes. Later in the game, quarterback Brett Hunchak broke the Lions all-time record for touchdown passes, previously held by Billy Barbosa, with the 32^nd touchdown pass of his career to his brother for what proved to be the game-winning score. The quarterback broke York's all-time records for completions (422) and passing yards (5,324) earlier in the season while Colton broke the all-time record for receptions (126) in Week 3. The brothers have their sights set on more single-season and all-time marks which could fall by the end of the regular season.  
 
The School Day Game will be attended by youths from around the local York community and will feature many on-site promotions. Fans are encouraged to wear red and cheer loud all game for chances to win our 'Rock Your Red', 'Best Seats' or 'Fan of the Game' contests with great prizing from Pizza Pizza, Wilson and the York Lions. The last Lions home game of the season also doubles as staff and faculty appreciation day, with tickets selling for $2.50 each. The Pride Shop will be on-site selling the latest in Lions apparel and there will be food trucks at the game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
 
York
 
REC Eric Kimmerly – Is coming off a career-high 97 receiving yards last game against the Waterloo Warriors. Kimmerly also recorded a pivotal touchdown reception in the game and has 26 catches for 306 yards on the season.  
 
LB Matt Dean – The Lions rookie is having a successful first-year at York and made one of the plays of the season last game, blocking the potential game-winning field attempt and preserving the Lions victory. Dean earned York's male athlete of the week award for his heroics.
 
K Dante Mastrogiuseppe – Having a fantastic season kicking the ball for the Lions, going 8 for 10 on field goal attempts this season, a perfect 8 of 8 on extra points and is ranked sixth in the OUA in punting average at 39 yards per punt.
 
Carleton
 
QB Michael Arruda – Ranks third in the OUA in passing yards with 2,070 in seven games this season and has thrown for 14 touchdown passes.  
 
RB Nathan Carter – Has scored four rushing touchdowns on the season and is ranked second in the OUA in rushing yards with 628 on the year.
 
LB Jack Cassar – Leads the Ravens in tackles with 56 on the season and is ranked second overall in the OUA. Has also recorded an interception and has three tackles for a loss.