The quest for the Yates Cup continued as the fifth-seeded Carleton Ravens fell to second-ranked Guelph Gryphons 33-21 on Nov. 7 in Guelph. The Ravens hosted the Gryphons on Oct. 24, losing 44-12 at MNP Park.
Going into this game, the Gryphons were heavily favoured, but Carleton players said they wanted to show early in the game they deserved to be there.
“We knew that we can play against any team in this league and Guelph was the next step to our goal,” said Ravens receiver Dexter Brown.
The first half was very back-and-forth. Guelph was first to get points on the board with a field goal, giving them a 3-0 lead over Carleton.
The Ravens responded shortly after, taking the lead as quarterback Jesse Mills found receiver Wilson Birch, who ran the ball for a 60-yard touchdown. Birch said the touchdown gave his team energy, but both teams knew how to stay composed for the game.
“Everyone was pretty fired up on the sidelines,” Birch said. “Both teams will make plays, it’s just important to move on and do your job for the next one.”
The Ravens’ defence was strong, and kept the Gryphons out of the end zone for the remainder of the quarter. The Gryphons managed to get in field goal range, tying the game 6-6 with a kick.
Early in the second quarter, the Gryphons again found themselves in field goal range and took the lead 9-6. But Carleton answered with a new season best field goal from kicker Michael Domagala for 44 yards.
Guelph ended an exciting first half with another field goal to take the lead 12-9.
“We knew that we were in a battle right from the start,” Brown said. “Going into half with the score the way it was, we knew that it could be anyone’s game at that point.”
The Ravens threw a curve in the lineup to start the second half by putting in backup quarterback Jesse St. John. The Guelph defence managed to hold Carleton’s offensive line and Mills was put back in the game.
Guelph’s offence came out strong to start the half. After a 51-yard run and another first down, the Gryphons ran the ball into the end zone. Guelph had a 19-9 lead over the Ravens.
Carleton fought hard at the beginning of the fourth, with the wind behind them. They forced the Gryphons back into their own end zone for a safety and another two points for Carleton, bringing the score within five points. Carleton trailed 19-14.
Guelph was able to get two more touchdowns in the last quarter, one from star running back Johnny Augustine, who ran for 245 yards and two touchdowns on the night. Guelph raised their score to 33, making it nearly impossible for the Ravens to come back, down 19 points with under two minutes left in the game.
“In the fourth quarter we had a couple opportunities to put some points up and maybe try to get some stops. It just didn’t happen and [Guelph] kind of took over the game at that point,” said Ravens coach Steve Sumarah.
The Ravens’ offence didn’t give up. There were big runs on the field from Nate Behar, Kyle Van Wynsberghe, and Brown. Mills looked for Behar in the end zone, Behar tipped the ball, and it was caught by rookie Quinton Soares for the touchdown. Domagala kicked to make the score 33-21, with Guelph still in the lead.
The Gryphons took a knee as they watched the clock run out. The final score was 33-21.
Guelph advances on to the 108th Yates Cup at the home of the Western Mustangs. This game will take place on Nov. 14.
Sumarah said he was proud of the team’s efforts.
“I think they played really hard and battled them all game long. We played for 60 minutes, and that’s all you can ask for as a coach,” he said.
Next year’s team will consist of players who have been with this program for four years.
“I think in our minds, it’s going to be our time,” Sumarah said.
“I’m proud of us as a team and how far we’ve come,” Birch said, but added he was dissappointed in losing.
“We could have won that game,” he said.
He credited the defence for playing a great game, but said he wished him and the rest of the offence were able to move the ball more in the first half.
The 2015 season came to an end for the Carleton Ravens, but they said they will work hard and continue to grow as a team.
“I think we can look at this season with optimism. We won a lot of big games this year but also lost some that we should have won,” Brown said.
Next year will be their fourth season together, and they said they are determined to make it to the 109th Yates Cup.
“I think everyone in the league should watch out for the Ravens next year,” Brown said.
