Lancers Football Seek Momentum Shift Heading Into Playoffs

By: Julia Dostaler

Photo credit: Ryan Robinson

Windsor Lancers enter the playoffs, ranked 4th in Ontario University Athletics (OUA), in defiance of their 3-game losing streak that wrapped up their regular season.

The Lancers lost to the Mustangs 46-5 at Western’s Alumni Stadium on Saturday. With no time to dwell, team captain and defender Demir Tagani is turning the loss into a learning experience.

“It’s never fun losing, especially the way we did,” he said. “However, losing allows us to really hammer down on all our errors and mistakes.”

This matchup has been a historically challenging one for the Lancers, winning one of the last 11 against the team two hours to the east.

“Anytime you go to London, you have to be able to stop their running game. That’s what they’re known for. That’s what has made them so great,” said Jean-Paul Circelli, Lancers football head coach.

The Mustangs used that ground attack to good effect against the Lancers, commanding a 17-3 after the first quarter.  It was a lead the Mustangs wouldn’t relinquish.

The Lancers had a strong start to the season, winning five straight.  The glow of that streak has vanished, however, with three consecutive losses against tough competition. The Mustangs, for example, are ranked third nationally and have won more Yates Cups as OUA champs than any other school.

“There’s no scientific explanation for it, but momentum does exist, and we have to have [it] on our side [instead of it coming] against us,” he said.

Momentum needs to be found quickly for the Lancers are the playoffs are soon to ramp up. If the Lancers best their provincial brethren, they’ll find themselves competing in the Uteck Bowl on November 16 against the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) champions for the right to compete for the Vanier Cup in Kingston the following week.

First things first, however, and the Lancers must beat the Queen’s Gaels at the Lancer’s Alumni Stadium this Saturday.

“There really isn’t a scenario we haven’t seen and we haven’t had to overcome. I think that’s going to serve us well in the multitude of different situations we’ll see in the playoffs,” Circelli said.

Chris John, running back and a Lancers team captain, says the focus needs to be on playing “Windsor ball” in front of the home crowd.

“It’s a pleasure hosting the first playoff game at our house, knowing our fans will come out to support. Our community is what drives our team,” he said.

But John added that the team’s main focus this week is to practice with intent and take every play one by one on Saturday.

The regular season, with its ups and downs, is over.  Circelli describes his troops as “battle-tested.”  The Lancers are hoping the war has just begun.