The York Lions notched their first victory of the 2018 season at home on Friday night, as they picked up a 29-22 win against the visiting Windsor Lancers. The Lions started strong scoring the first 21 points of the game and their defense pushed back in the second-half to secure the victory and take their record to 1-2 on the season.
 
"I'm ecstatic about the win," said Lions head coach Warren Craney. "Offensively our quarterback Brett Hunchak managed the game like a pro. He utilized the clock and sustained drives and I'm definitely proud of our whole group. It's a real big win for the program."
 
After an opening drive by Windsor resulted in a missed field goal by Lancers kicker Clark Green, Lions ace return specialist Alex Daley ran back the missed kick 75 yards to give the Lions good field position on the Windsor 40-yard line. York opened the scoring a few plays later on a one-yard touchdown plunge by running back Kayden Johnson to give the Lions a 7-0 lead.
 
On the Lions next possession, quarterback Brett Hunchak hit his brother Colton Hunchak with an 11-yard pass to push the Lions to midfield and re-write the York record books for the second game in a row. Colton set the York all-time receptions record (126) with the catch, leap frogging both Adam Adeboboye and Will Austin who were previously tied for the record. Last week against Guelph, Brett set the Lions all-time marks for career passing yards and completions. A few plays later, the brothers connected again for a six-yard touchdown pass to give the Lions a 14-0 lead.
 
After a blocked punt by Lions defensive back Xavier Rogers on Windsor's next possession gave the Lions the ball at the Windsor nine-yard line, the Lions quarterback scampered nine yards and crossed the goal line for his first rushing touchdown of the season. A Dante Mastrogiuseppe extra point gave the Lions a 21-0 lead before the game was 16 minutes old.


 
The Lancers got on the board with a 22-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Sam Girard to receiver Tristan Carter on the Lancers next possession, and picked up two safeties before the first half came to an end to cut the Lions lead to 21-11 at the half.
 
The Lancers quickly cut into the Lions lead further with another touchdown pass by Girard, this time to Brandon Speller to leave the Lions with a three point lead. York bounced back though with a long 81-yard drive later in the third quarter to restore their ten point advantage. Hunchak completed seven passes on the drive, including three to Lions wide out Eric Kimmerly, and found Daley in the end zone for a six-yard touchdown pass with just over two minutes remaining in the third quarter.   
 
Windsor threatened throughout the fourth quarter but could only manage a field goal as the Lions defence came up big on a number of occasions to hold off Lancers and lead the Lions to the victory.
 
"I'm very happy with how our defence played," said Craney. "When they needed to make a play, they made a play. When it counted they really buckled down and made some amazing stops on the goal line and they made some amazing stops in the fourth quarter. I'm real proud of all the guys on defence."
 
The Lions secondary played a key role in limiting Girard to his lowest passing yard total of the season, after coming into the game as the OUA's leading passer. Jacob Janke (7.5 tackles, 1 pass break up), Desi Dixon (5 tackles, 1 pass break up) and Kadeem Thomas (4 tackles, 1 pass break up) all had big games for the Lions defence. Defensive end Rossini Sandjong-Djabome and line backer Damian Jamieson each had five tackles for the Lions as well.  
 
Leading the offence was B. Hunchak who threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns, and was also the Lions leading rusher with 66 yards on seven carries. C. Hunchak had another big game for the Lions with nine catches for 116 yards and a touchdown, and Kimmerly had the best game of his York career, setting career-highs with eight catches and 71 yards.
 
The Lions will make a trip to London, Ont. for their next game to take on the defending Vanier Cup champions the Western Mustangs on Saturday, Sept. 15. Kick-off is set for 1pm.