Community shows its support
Considering the Thanksgiving long weekend, and the bitter cold that came with it, there was a terrific turnout for the Gryphons annual Friday Night Lights game on Oct. 10. The Gryphons defeated the visiting Carleton Ravens 44-24 – a win that wasn’t the lone impressive spectacle of the night.
Carleton came to Guelph hungry for a playoff position. Guelph was coming off a hot four-game winning streak, and with a first round bye in sight, the Gryphons were determined to get things done. These were ingredients for an exciting game.
Carleton came out strong in the early goings, moving the ball well through the air on the Guelph defence that boasts the best pass-rush in the OUA. For reasons yet unknown though, the Ravens abandoned their air-borne efforts and attempted a run game against an all-consuming defensive front, which could very well be labeled “The Black Hole.”
Guelph’s offense was no less impressive, managing a 44-point game even with the absence of star running back Rob Farquharson. All in, the Gryphons played to the level that has become expected of them, highlighted by a tremendous performance by quarterback Jazz Lindsay who completed 20 throws for 291 yards, rookie running back Daniel Palmer-Salmon who averaged 10.8 yards per carry on six attempts, and a fantastic display by kicker Daniel Ferraro who was successful for five field goals, three of which came from over 40 yards away.
Perhaps all the more impressive however, was the attendance and atmosphere at the game. With the long weekend and cold winds, a below-par fan attendance would have been understandable. One look at the stands on Oct. 10 at Alumni Stadium told a very different story.
Football under the lights is football at its best – there’s just something about the sight of it all. With a 5-1 Gryphon squad making Guelph proud, it was the perfect mixture of excitement and traditional football culture that Guelphites clearly wanted to be a part of it.
Gazing over the audience showed a picture of families, alumni, and local high school teams all attending the game in support and with admiration.
The University of Guelph showed its appreciation for the communal support, donating $1 from every ticket sold to the United Way. This was something great to see, a give and giveback relationship between school and community. The atmosphere at the game was nothing but enthusiastic.
Champion level cheerleaders doing what they do best, community members coming together, an electrifying team, Friday night under the lights had all the makings for a Peter Berg feature. This program is one that Gryphons can be proud of.
Up next for the Gryphons is the ever-anticipated match-up against the 5-1 Western Mustangs. The two powerhouses will collide on Oct. 18. The match-up will be Guelph’s final home game of the regular season.