Golden Hawks set to face Warriors as team searches for first win of 2013
WATERLOO, Ont. – City bragging rights will be on the line Saturday night as the Wilfrid Laurier University men’s football teams heads across University Avenue to take on the Waterloo Warriors.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Warrior Field and the game can be heard live on RadioLaurier.com.
A game that is always circled on the OUA football calendar each season, this year’s edition of the Battle of Waterloo promises to be another exciting contest as two teams battling to establish themselves in the conference will take the field. It should also be a packed house at Warrior Field as, unlike in previous years when the game has been played during the Thanksgiving weekend, students from both schools will be able to attend and support their teams.
Laurier has historically dominated this matchup, winning the last nine meetings dating back to 2003 and 37 of 52 games overall. However, when the two teams faced off last season, it was a defensive battle with the Laurier and Waterloo combining to score the fewest points in a game between the two teams all-time, a 12-0 Laurier victory.
The Hawks enter Saturday’s game looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss to the York Lions last week. Laurier, who jumped out to an early 15-0 lead, could not hold off the Lions is the second half as they eventually lost 33-20, snapping their nine game winning streak against York. Despite the loss, the purple and gold got their running game in order as starting back Dillon Campbell of Whitby, Ont., rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown.
Meanwhile, the Warriors come into the game coming off their first win of the season over the newest addition to the OUA, the Carleton Ravens. Playing the conference’s youngest team, Waterloo got strong performances from quarterback Jamie Cook of Collingwood, Ont., and running back Danny Silvestri of Waterloo, Ont., to lead them to victory.
While the offences will be key for both teams, it appears as though the defences could decide a winner on Saturday night. For the Hawks, that will mean defensive coordinator Ron VanMoerkerke’s group will need to continue to perform as they have all season. Laurier currently ranks in the Top 4 in the conference in both pass defence, allowing just 218 yards per game, and scoring defence, allowing 27 points per game.
It is a different story for Waterloo, however, and one that the Hawks will need to take advantage of on offence. The Warriors are 10th in the OUA in both scoring and rushing defence and eighth in passing defence. If Laurier can recapture their form from the opening half against York last week and the second half against Toronto two weeks ago, the team will be in good shape to break into the win column.
With a sellout expected, the Waterloo Athletics department is encouraging fans to bring lawn chairs to the game and purchase $5 tickets which grant them access to the berm on the opposite side of the field from the bleachers. Tickets for the game can be purchased at the gate on game day.
NOTES: The game will be webcast by Warrior TV…Campbell currently finds himself ranked sixth in the OUA in rushing with 203 yards through three games…defensive back Taylor Calverley of Kettleby, Ont., and linebackerThomas Majka of Mississauga, Ont., are both tied for eighth in the league in total tackles with 18…fifth year receiverIsaac Dell of Niagara Falls, Ont., will be playing in his 30th career regular season contest for Laurier on Saturday.
Photo credit: Thomas Kolodziej
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