The Waterloo Warriors football program is definitely on the rise, but the Western Mustangs proved once again that they'll be the ones waiting at the summit.
The defending Vanier Cup champions and top-ranked team in the country used a lethal areal attack and a swarming defensive effort to top the Warriors 67-7 on Reunion weekend at Warrior Field on Saturday afternoon.
Western quarterback Chris Merchant put up the most impressive stat line of his career, completing 20 of 24 passes for 348 yards and 6 touchdowns – three each to receivers Cole Majoros and Brett Ellerman. Majoros led all receivers with 123 yards through the air, as eight different Mustangs caught passes from Merchant and backup Kevin John.
Meanwhile, the Mustangs defence was able to shut down the conference's leading passer, as Waterloo pivot Tre Ford (Niagara Falls/) was held to 8-16 passing, with 130 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Ford was able to connect with star receiver Tyler Ternowski (Hamilton/) for 4 completions and 101 yards, including a gorgeous 26-yard rainbow in the back of the endzone for Waterloo's only major score of the day.
Western's special teams gave their offense a series of short fields in the first quarter, and the Mustangs used an effective mix of rushing and play-action passing to jump out to a 17-0 lead before the game was 8 minutes old. The Warriors responded with an 82-yard touchdown drive – including a 47-yard pitch, catch, and run from Ford to Ternowski – to narrow the deficit to 17-7.
But the Mustangs pushed right back with touchdowns on their next two drives, sandwiching a Michael Moore interception of Ford, to make the score 31-7 after the first quarter.
The Mustangs continued to use their vaunted running attack to set up play action for Merchant, and the veteran took full advantage, stretching his team's lead to 45-7 at the half. Late in the third quarter, Merchant gave way to Kevin John, who added a late rushing touchdown of his own.
On the defensive side of the ball, Kurtis Gray (Waterloo/) added to his team-leading tackles total with 7 more. And on what was a long day for the Warriors, quarterback Lucas McConnell (Waterford/) was a definite bright spot. The fifth-year vet and second all-time leading passer in school history was pressed into kicking duty when Caleb Girard (Waterford/) went down with an injury in the first quarter. In addition to 26 passing yards in the fourth quarter, McConnell booted four punts, handled a kickoff, and even nailed the point-after attempt on Waterloo's lone touchdown of the day.
The Warriors (3-2) will now look to get back into the win column when they travel to face the York Lions in week 6 action. Kickoff is scheduled for 5pm at Alumni Field.
