Football | 8/21/2025 12:12:00 PM

Could you have written a better script?

One would be hard-pressed to find one, as the York University Lions football team opens its 2025 season on Saturday against none other than the McMaster Marauders.

The OUA football landscape was shaken to its core this offseason by the news that Keagan Hall – the OUA and U SPORTS runner up in passing yards with 2,529 and yards per game at 316.1, behind only Hec Crighton winner Taylor Elgersma of Laurier – had transferred to York to play for the Lions as he completes a Master's degree in commerce.

That, while the main storyline, is but one of the several 'nuggets' to the first game on the OUA docket and one of the most intriguing matchups of the entire season.

The Lions, looking to take the next step under second-year head coach Dexter Janke, welcome a McMaster team that knocked them out of the playoffs just 10 months ago. In fact, this will be the second consecutive regular season game played between the two teams. The Lions will be looking to avenge a heartbreaking 24-21 loss last October at Ron Joyce Stadium – a game that, had they won it, would have vaulted the Lions into the postseason.  

Ironically, it was an interception of the aforementioned Hall by Raekwon Lewis-Gibbs on a tipped ball at the line of scrimmage that set up the Lions up at near midfield with just over a minute remaining, needing a field goal to tie. However, an incompletion, a sack and an interception followed, and the Marauders held on for the victory to secure a postseason berth. 

Now, the Lions are back, with Hall on their side, looking to win a season opener for the first time in nine years and set the tone for a return to the dance.

The last time York won a home opener, Brett Hunchak – now York's quarterbacks coach – threw for 331 yards and five touchdowns in a 57-13 romp over the Waterloo Warriors.

Nearly a decade later, Hall – then just entering high school – and the Lions will look to change that against his old mates in a game that could set the tone for what is now a revitalized program with increased expectations in year two under Janke.

Hall, however, is not the only former Marauder making his York debut against his former team. Receiver Nicholas Adair, also a graduate transfer, comes to York after playing three years down the QEW. His final season at McMaster saw him play only five games, but in those games, he posted 369 yards and finished 12th in the nation in yards per game.

Hall and Adair's arrivals present a lethal duo at quarterback and receiver, with a solid group of offensive playmakers like Melchis Ilunga and Avontae McKoy returning, setting up the potential of one of the most dynamic offences in the OUA under new offensive coordinator Frantz Clarkson.

Clarkson most recently served as the Manager of Football Operations with the CFL's Edmonton Elks, and has made coaching stops at Alberta, UBC and St. Mary's.

Additionally, Eli Haynes has been brought in as the team's new special teams coordinator. He comes to York from the CJFL's Okanagan Sun, where he served as the team's assistant head coach, while also holding various other titles over his six years with the team.

The Lions defence will look to shine once again, as it did much of last season under defensive coordinator Greg Knox's leadership. The unit is highlighted by the return of Brody Clark and Peyton Ryder in the linebacking core. That dynamic duo is back in red and white after a 2024 season saw them occupy two of the top three spots in the nation in total tackles and two of the top five in tackles per game, with Clark pacing the latter category.

This matchup, the OUA's Marquee Matchup in Week 1, features talking points aplenty.

Not even the most aggressive of writer's block could prevent this script from taking shape.

Kickoff from York Lions Stadium is set for 1:00 pm. You can get your tickets here or watch with an all-access or sport-specific pass on OUA.tv.