RECAP: Gee-Gees fall to Warriors, close season in quarterfinals
The Gee-Gees' season came to a close in the OUA quarterfinals on Saturday. The fourth-seeded Gee-Gees fell to the fifth-seeded Waterloo Warriors by a final score of 44-21.
The Gee-Gees football team's season came to a close in the OUA quarterfinals at Gee-Gees Field on Saturday. The fourth-seeded Gee-Gees fell to the fifth-seeded Waterloo Warriors by a final score of 44-21.
The Warriors flexed their offensive muscles early, establishing a 14-0 lead before the Gee-Gees responded with a field goal. Momentum swung in Ottawa's favour, as Joshua Britton-Bailey found the end zone on a touchdown run. The Gee-Gees followed the touchdown up with another field goal, leaving the Warriors with a slim 14-13 lead into the halftime break.
In the second half, the Warriors responded forcefully, scoring four consecutive touchdowns and one field goal to increase their lead to 44-13. The Gee-Gees finally were able to put points back on the board on a 26-yard pitch and catch from quarterback Matt Mahler to Carter Matheson.
Mahler finished the day with 286 yards passing with one touchdown and two interceptions. Donald Shaw was the leading rusher for the Gee-Gees finishing with 65 yards. Carter Matheson, in his final career game, had 137 yards and a touchdown.
On defence, Kyle Rodger closed off his U SPORTS career with 11 total tackles, while Kevin Victome had an interception, Tramayne Stephen and Adam Wallace had sacks on the afternoon.
"We have a lot of kids that worked really hard here," said Gee-Gees head coach Jamie Barresi. "You have to capitalize, that's all there is to it. We didn't finish."
The loss was particularly emotional for a group of veteran leaders on the team that will be closing their collegiate playing careers.
"I think the guys put everything they could in throughout the week, but we just fell short," said graduating fifth-year receiver Kalem Beaver. "It's not the way we wanted it to end, but that's the way it goes sometimes. I love these guys, they are my family, I'll know them for the rest of my life and I appreciate them."
The Warriors advance to play the Western Mustangs, while Guelph will take on McMaster to determine who will hoist the Yates Cup this season.