The Windsor Lancers officially kicked off the 2018 football season Sunday night in Waterloo against the Warriors. Windsor struggled in the first quarter and despite some eye popping offensive numbers, fell 53-37 in Waterloo.

The Lancers, celebrating their 50th season of varsity competition, also finally got to see what their massive new recruiting class looks like with the bright lights on. In addition to the new Lancer players, new defensive coordinator Jesse Alexander made his premier for the Blue and Gold.
 
GAME STATS
Both quarterbacks put on a show with Waterloo's Tre Ford tossed six touchdowns, 463 yards and only three incompletions (25/28). The Lancers Sam Girard was no slouch himself, tossing five touchdowns with 478 yards on 26/42 passing.
 
The receivers put forth a good effort with three Lancers hitting the century mark. Alex Bornais had an explosive night for the Blue & Gold as he landed in the end zone on fifty percent of his catches to register a hat-trick. The Tecumseh, ON native finished the game with 172 yards receiving on six catches and three touchdowns. Kaeden Wells had 116 yards on five catches and a touchdown, while Tristan Carter managed 106 yards on seven catches.
 
Waterloo's Tyler Ternowski caught 11 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns to tie an OUA record for most touchdowns in a game.
 
It wasn't a great day to play defense as there were no turnovers and both offenses racked up over 1,100 yards (1,120) with 578 of them belonging to the Warriors and Windsor claiming 542.
 
GAME FLOW
Things got off to a rough start for the Lancers. After a couple of punts each the Warriors offense started to find its footing. Waterloo quarterback Tre Ford controlled the play for much of the first half as the Warriors raced out to a 33 point lead.
 
With about two minutes to go in the half quarterback Sam Girard decided it was time the Lancers found their footing, sending an 84 yard rocket to Alex Bornais who got the Lancers' first major. Later, with under a minute to go Girard orchestrated another impressive drive that was capped by an incredible over the shoulder catch to put the game at 39-14 at halftime.
 
In the second half the Lancers came out of the gate fast, scoring the half's first eight points before going on three consecutive scoring drives. Sam Girard spread the ball tossing touchdowns to Brandon Speller and Alex Bornais, who caught three touchdowns on the night.
 
However, despite the second half offensive explosion, some unfortunate penalties and timely defensive plays from the Warriors ensured there would be no Lancer comeback.
 
UP NEXT
The Lancers host the Carleton Ravens in the Labour Day Classic on Monday, September 3rd at 3:00pm. Season tickets are still available at goLancers.ca/tickets.