Grid Stingers wake up in time

John Austen

Things were looking rather bleak as the Concordia Stingers left the football field at halftime last Saturday afternoon with their tails between their legs.

After losing their first two games of the regular season, Gerry McGrath's Stingers found themselves trailing the second-year Sherbrooke Vert et Or 10-8 after two quarters of play at Concordia Stadium.

A loss in this game would have seen the winless Stingers face the real possibility of starting the season losing their first four matches, since their next opponent is the St. Mary's Huskies, one of the premier teams in the country.

Concordia dug deep, however, in the second half and pulled out a 36-16 win over the Vert et Or.

"We have a tough schedule this year but we certainly couldn't afford to lose our first three games," said Coach McGrath. "We can't make excuses. We have to look forward and this was a good comeback win for us."

Quarterback Scott Syvret of Kirkland threw for 286 yards and a touchdown. That was a 71-yard pass and run play to Scott Scissons in the fourth quarter. Mark Kang led the way for the Stingers with two touchdowns as he rushed for 76 yards on 17 carries.

The Stingers also got 13- and 35-yard field goals from Warren Kean.

The Stingers, who were 7-1 last regular season before losing to Laval in the playoffs, now must travel to Halifax to play undefeated St. Mary's this weekend. Then it's back to Concordia for the annual homecoming game the following weekend.

The Stingers have lost a few key veterans from last year and the news didn't get any better when Patrick Donovan blew out his knee two weeks ago against Université de Montréal. He will be out for the season.

The Stingers have a good young nucleus, but it may take them a while to get adjusted to university football.

McGrath, the former Montreal Alouettes kicker who is now in his fifth season at the helm, thinks there may be a couple of bumps in the road, but that it will all come together nicely.

"I'm not surprised we have had a bit of a slow start," he said. "We are in a very challenging part of the schedule. But I expect a strong second half, and we will be ready for the playoffs."

Concordia's defensive line is formidable with the likes of All-Canadian end Troy Cunningham and Sam Taulealea.

Taulealea has transferred from University of Colorado, where he spent three seasons with the powerhouse Buffaloes. At six foot one, 330 pounds, the native of Hawaii has already drawn comparisons to Junior Ah You, the Montreal Alouettes Hall of Fame defensive end, also from Hawaii.Defensive back Kerry Clahaneis leading an improved secondary. Clahane, who also returns punts, is an early all-Canadian candidate.

"He is the best man-to-man coverage guy in the country," said McGrath. The offensive unit is very raw, with nine starters gone.

"I think this team will be OK," said Reg Arngrave, a fan who rarely misses a Stinger home game. "I think the coach is right. Look out for this team in the second half of the season.