WATERLOO, Ont. - On a glorious final Saturday of August, Warriors Football drew an excited crowd of 812 to Warrior Field for their home opener against the Ottawa Gee-Gees.
Despite a valiant performance from the likes of quarterback Nick Orr (Caledon/Mayfield Secondary School), returning to game action for the first time in 343 days, the Gee-Gees were 38-28 victors.
The game started out rather tame compared to what we'd see from the second quarter onward. Both teams traded early trips to the red zone and looked sharp on offence. The Warriors would have to be sharp, especially with the arm of Gee-Gees quarterback Josh Janssen – among the provincial leaders in every passing category – locked and loaded, if they wanted to stay close.
Down 3-0 later in the first quarter, Waterloo broke through and set Warrior Field ablaze. Orr found space to maneuver, and delivered a strike right to Riley Webster (Waterloo, ONT/Resurrection Catholic Secondary School) in the endzone. The Waterloo native's touchdown reception sent the crowd into a frenzy, and the Warriors were 7-3 leaders.
Post-game, Webster mentioned how proud he is to have completed the opening score of the year, and how his connection with Orr on the field was surging throughout the game.
After mentioning how Orr exceptionally got the ball in a prime spot for the grab, Webster was modest in his reaction. "I just had to secure the ball." "Once you secure it, it's really just emotion that takes over." The hometown kid, kicking off the season's scoring in style.
After the Warriors score, Ottawa slowly built a 10-point lead. Janssen led two highlight reel drives for touchdowns, and hemmed the Warriors in.
In comes number four.
Taking a snap just outside the redzone, Orr took off to the right. Having scrambled brilliantly all afternoon and playing fearlessly, he took his magic moment.
Dashing to the pylon, he took the ball 14 yards to the house . Warrior Field was rocking. First game back, and he delivers a play that meant more than any snap, scramble, or run has before. That run signaled to the fact that a fan favourite is back in town, and ready for more. Orr's score had the Warriors up 18-14. To add to his touchdown run, Orr's 85 rushing yards through the afternoon led the lineup.
Post-game, Orr was grateful to be back in the zone on Warrior Field. "It's a blessing," Orr said. "Coming here five years ago, the plan was to play out all these years. Even with a minor hiccup in there, I'm following through on that promise, my commitment to coach and the rest of my teammates."
After Ottawa took a seven-point lead, the Warriors would strike yet again on the run – this time – courtesy of their running back that head coach Chris Bertoia has praised significantly through the offseason and training camp. Roy Van Der Veen (Grand Valley/RFHall Catholic Secondary School) delivered a clutch one-yard route to split the Ottawa defensive line and tie the game at 21.
It became a back-and-forth affair. Van Der Veen would rush for yet another touchdown after Ottawa went up by three to put the home side in front again.
The Van Der Veen score would prove to be the last points on the board for Waterloo. Two more touchdowns orchestrated by the Gee-Gees offence, courtesy of Janssen's trademark accuracy, put the game away.
A defeat in which numbers and scorelines cannot tell the story. This was a day for the Warriors to embrace the atmosphere and get the ball rolling for what proves to be a captivating season on the gridiron.
After spending weeks two and three on the road – at Carleton and Queen's respectively – the Warriors will return home to face the Windsor Lancers for Homecoming festivities on Saturday, September 19. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM. Tickets are available at gowarriorsgo.ca/tickets.
