The York Lions football team led by one point at halftime but couldn't hold on as the Guelph Gryphons took over in the second half and topped the Lions by a final score of 33-18. Lions quarterback Brett Hunchak broke two school records during the game, becoming the career leader in completions and passing yards before the end of the first half.
 
The Lions struck first as kicker Dante Mastroguiseppe gave the Lions a 1-0 lead with a rouge on their first possession. Hunchak set the York school record for most career completions (422) during the Lions second possession, as he hit wide receiver Eric Kimmerly with the record-breaking 13-yard pass which put the Lions into Guelph territory. With the completion Hunchak overtook former Lions quarterback Billy Barbosa (2002-06) for first place in school history. A few plays later Mastrogiuseppe gave the Lions a 4-0 lead with a career-long 43-yard field goal.
 
The Gryphons responded with a long drive marred by 45 penalty yards by the offence, but managed pull within one when Guelph kicker Gabe Ferraro nailed a 29-yard field goal.
 
As the Lions took a 4-3 lead into the second quarter, a battle of field position ensued which had the Lions pinned deep in their end for most of the quarter. The Lions defense held strong until a York personal foul on a punt gave the Gryphons great field position on the Lions 26-yard line. Guelph capitalized with a touchdown pass from quarterback Theo Landers to wide receiver Kade Belyk with 3:14 to go in the half to put them ahead 10-4.
 
On the Lions next possession Hunchak once again etched his name in the York record books by completing a short two-yard pass to running back Kayden Johnson. With the yardage gained on the pass, Hunchak again moved ahead of Barbosa to become the most prolific passer in York football history with 5,325 yards in his career.
 
The drive put them into Gryphons territory and after a Mastrogiuseppe punt, the Lions caught a break when linebacker Damian Jamieson recovered a fumble with exactly 1:00 remaining in the half. On the very next play from scrimmage the Lions looked deep into their playbook and came out with a spectacular gadget play that had even the home crowd in Guelph buzzing. Hunchak threw the ball behind him to brother Colton Hunchak, who then threw down field to a streaking Luther Hakunavanhu for a 47-yard play that put York at the Gryphons one-yard line.
 
On the very next play Johnson put the Lions in front with a one-yard touchdown plunge and they went into half-time with an 11-10 lead.
 
A Guelph penalty on the last play of the first half moved the Lions kick-off up 15 yards, and Mastrogiuseppe capitalized to give the Lions a two-point lead with his second rouge point of the game. However, it was all Gryphons from that point on, as they scored 23 straight points in the second half to build a 33-12 lead. The scores came on three field goals from Ferraro (42, 27, and 47 yards), a pick six from linebacker Job Reinhart and a one-yard quarterback sneak from Landers.
 
The Lions scored late on a Hunchak to Hunchak two-yard touchdown pass to cap the score at 33-18 for Guelph.
 
Hakunavanhu had his best game in a Lions uniform catching 5 passes for 85 yards and making several key tackles on special teams. In addition to his fumble recovery, linebacker Jamieson picked up six tackles for the Lions defence, which tied him for the team lead on the day with defensive back Desi Dixon. Defensive lineman Jackson Haime also netted the first interception of his career with a late pick-off of Landers in the fourth quarter.
 
The Lions have a quick turnaround this week and will host the Windsor Lancers on Friday, Sept. 7 for a special Frosh Fest game at Alumni Field. Kick-off is set for 6pm.