Varsity Athletics | 10/23/2026 8:00:00 PM
The York Lions Football team will be carrying a two-game winning streak into their biggest game of the season this weekend. The Lions have a chance to secure their first OUA playoff birth since the 2004 season.
York is coming into this weekend's game off a massive win in the 56th Annual Red and Blue Bowl against the Toronto Varsity Blues. York dominated the game defensively, even adding a defensive touchdown from Raiden Mastin on route to a 34-10 victory. The Red and Blue Bowl victory is York's second straight in the bowl as well as the regular season.
York carries a 3-4 record into this weekend's game, where they will face-off against the Waterloo Warriors who currently sit at 2-5. Both teams come into this weekend's game very evenly matched with one and another. Both teams also have their playoff hopes on the line, making this easily the biggest game of the season for each side.
Both teams must win to make the playoffs, with a win securing York a spot no matter what happens in other games. In Waterloo's case, they would have to beat York and have Laurier lose to the currently second seeded Western Mustangs.
Head Coach Dexter Janke has already secured his best season as the Lions Head Coach record wise. With three wins so far on the season, Janke has surpassed the two-win seasons secured in both of his first two seasons. Not too shabby for a team he inherited that went winless the year before his first season.
As for on the field, both teams have had success mainly with their defense more than offense this season, and both teams have similar stories on the defensive side of the ball. York gives up an average of 35.1 points per game while Waterloo gives up 36.4 points per game. The yards allowed per game are also similar, with York surrendering 501.4 to Waterloo 496.7.
However, what separates these two teams on defense is the Lions' big play and takeaway ability. York has 10 sacks on the season so far compared to Waterloo's four, the same number of sacks York had last week in the Red and Blue bowl. In addition, York has 11 fumble recoveries so far on the year while Waterloo has six. York forced and recovered three fumbles last week against Toronto in a defensive masterclass from the Lions. Interceptions are similar as Waterloo has four to York's three.
The game is scheduled to take place at York Lions Stadium on Saturday, October 24th at 1 PM EST. Tickets for the Lions win and in final game of the regular season are available at yorkulions.ca/tickets. York vs Waterloo will also be available to stream on oua.tv.
