Recap: Concordia squeaks past Gaels in exhibition

KINGSTON, Ont. (August 24, 2014) – The Queen’s Gaels opened up their football season with an exhibition tune-up against the Concordia Stingers at Richardson Stadium. The Gaels had a shot to tie the game on the final play but couldn’t convert and Concordia took the win 25-18.

The Gaels were led by Jesse Andrews (Arnprior, Ont.) who had 12 rushes for 100 yards in the three quarters he saw action in while Billy McPhee (Burlington, Ont.) looked like he was in mid-season form completing 15 of 25 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown while adding 24 yards on the ground as well. Michael Moore (Mississauga, Ont.) led the way for Queen’s defensively with 6.5 tackles.

The Stingers had a strong day from running back Gunner Tatum who put up 98 yards on the ground on 15 rushes. The difference in the game was turnovers and the Stingers took advantage for 12 points on two of their interceptions. Michael Asare had a big day on defense with nine tackles, a forced fumble and an interception.

“It was good to see our offensive line set up and  open up some holes for me,” said Jesse Andrewsafter the game. “Also it was great to see our young defense really come together so we are really looking forward to the season ahead. We need to touch up a bit on the mental mistakes, if we can eliminate some of the mental errors I think we will be just fine for the season.”

In the first quarter the Gaels opened up the scoring on a Dillon Wamsley (London, Ont.) field goal to get up 3-0. ,Andrews and McPhee moved the ball well early to allow Wamsley to settle in for the easy three for Queen’s.,Neither side conceded much ground in the opening frame, even though the Gaels were able to pick up a pair of fumbles but could not turn them into point on the board.

Michael Asare took an interception on a pass attempt by Austin Geddes (London, Ont.) to the house for a touchdown to put Concordia up 7-3 in the second quarter. The Gaels fell into trouble as they fumbled the ball on the kick off to put Concordia in good field position right after they had taken the lead.,

The Gaels regained the lead in the third quarter as McPhee re-entered the game for the Gaels and found Peter Hannon (Toronto) for a 17 yard touchdown putting Queen’s up 12-7. After the two teams traded field goals to close out the third quarter the Gaels took a 15-10 advantage into the final frame.

Concordia turned up their offense however as Colin Sequira finished off a 12 play 75 yard attack with a one yard rushing score. On the Gaels next possession Max Townsend (Toronto) was intercepted for a touchdown by Kris Robertson and the Stingers went up 24-15 in just over a minute of play.

The Stingers added a point on a rouge and the Gaels nabbed three more points from a field goal to bring the game to 25-18 in the final minutes. Queen’s was able to force their way into one final play with no time left on the clock but the ball went in and out of the hands of the intended receiver to preserve a 25-18 win for Concordia.

The Gaels will now hit the road as they take on the Windsor Lancers on Labour Day to open their regular season play. They then return to Kingston for their home opener against the Ottawa Gee-Gees on September 6.