Dominating playoff win sends the Lancers to the OUA Semi-Finals


Goran Dabic
SPORTS EDITOR

he Windsor Lancers Football team cruised to their first playoff win since 2003, knocking off the Ottawa Gee Gees 50-33 in the OUA quarter-finals on Saturday afternoon at Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa.

Led by a balanced offensive attack and a relentless defense, the Lancers were able to dominate most of the game, ultimately giving the Lancers faithful a playoff win to cheer about after years of futility and mediocrity.

The Lancers, wanting to exact revenge from a heartbreaking loss to the Gee Gees earlier in the season, came out strong in the first quarter, jumping out to a 17-3 lead behind touchdowns from quarterback Austin Kennedy and wide-receiver Jordan Brescacin.

They would pull away in the second as Kennedy would find receivers Evan Pszczonak and Dylan Whitfield in the back of the end zone to put the Lancers up 34-10 at the half.

The second half was much of the same for the Lancers. Kennedy pulled together another strong second-half performance, as he connected with Brescacin and Cory Fernandes for touchdowns in the third to seal the victory for the Lancers.

Despite putting up almost 600 yards of total offense, the Lancers defense, led by linebacker Akeem Whonder, who finished the game with eight tackles and two sacks, was instrumental in getting the Lancers over the hump.

“It still wasn’t a perfect game but I feel our defense is finally stepping up in crunch time,” said Whonder. “Our front seven played stronger than ever before and the defensive line was outstanding.”

Whonder was stellar, but he was quick to give credit to his teammates for the strong effort.

“Players like Seamus Postuma and Andrew Bakos anchored the front seven allowing me and Brad Adams to make a few more plays this game. Without them the game could have had a much different outcome.”

The playoff inexperienced Lancers were also firing on all cylinders offensively. Quarterback Austin Kennedy was unstoppable once again at the helm, going 25-for-34 for 429 passing yards, while throwing for five touchdowns. He also ran the ball for 86 yards and another touchdown.

Receiver Jordan Brescacin caught nine passes for 198 passing yards and two touchdowns, as he continued his stellar season with another productive performance.

The dynamic duo of Kennedy and Brescacin will look to continue their outstanding play next Saturday as the Lancers take on the number four ranked Western Mustangs in the OUA semi-finals.

Windsor’s last playoff victory in 2003 came against the Mustangs in London, but with an outstanding Western offense, the Lancers know they will have their work cut out for them this time around.

“Their (Western’s) run game is definitely tops in Canada and I feel that their offense starts and ends with their backfield,” said Whonder. “Our front seven just has to tighten up a bit and give our explosive offense the ball more.”

The Lancers will look to give their fans something more to cheer about on Saturday in London as they attempt to place in the OUA Finals. Game time is set for 1 p.m.