Lancers leading the charge

By: Michael Hugall

The Windsor Lancers football team is off to their best record in 30 years after a 4-1 start to the 2014 season has left them in a tie for second in the Ontario Universities Athletic Conference.

The Lancers began the season with a common goal of hosting a home playoff game after an early exit from last year’s playoffs left the players and coaches wanting more. Since the early playoff exit last season to the Guelph Gryphons the Lancers have been on a mission to host a home playoff game for the first time since 2006.

“I always have high expectations,” said defensive coordinator Donovan Carter.“We have guys returning like Josh Burns, like Louis Polyzois so we have veterans that can do the job.”

Burns, a fifth year defensive back is highly regarded by Canadian Football League scouts as one of the top players (at his position) in Canada. He was ranked 15 before a punctured lung cut his season short. Nonetheless, he is back to prove he can still compete at an elite level. So far Burns has totaled 14.5 tackles and one interception through five games.

“You just got to keep trusting the system, you just want to be better,” said Polyzois. “If everyone does their assignment then good things will come out of it. The game plan is to make sure that we win so we can achieve our goal of hosting a home playoff game.”

Polyzois, a fifth year linebacker, is getting his first opportunity to start in a Lancers uniform and is second on the team with tackles (23) and tied for the team lead in interceptions (1). The Windsor Lancers, having beaten the Queens Gaels, Waterloo Warriors, Laurier Golden Hawks and the York Lions will carry their 4-1 record into a what is being dubbed “must win” by most of the players.

“ For me really it’s about going out with a bang, it’s about winning a Yates cup and that’s how I plan to go out,” said quarterback Austin Kennedy.

Kennedy, is also in the fifth year of his OUA career and said he is very grateful for the return of a number one wide receiver like Evan Pszczonak. He and Pszczonak have jelled early on connecting for 25 receptions totaling 539 yards and five touchdowns.  Although Kennedy and his offence have been solid averaging close to the top (fourth in total yards per game), he said there is still work to be done.

“We have to be more consistent, you’re moving the ball every drive and we need at least one first down,” said Kennedy. “Also, we need to score points when we get in the red zone we need to score points, no questions about that.”

There is still much to be won and lost for the Windsor Lancers moving forward into the final half of their OUA season. They will start tonight with a battle against the fifth place Ottawa Gee Gee’s before playing Carleton in a game that could grant them their home playoff game.

The Lancers will finish up the regular against their rivals, the Western Mustangs to close the season.