With a 23-17 victory over the York Lions in exhibition play on Friday afternoon, the Concordia Stingers football team picked up its first win under new head coach Brad Collinson.
The Stingers came away with the victory despite periods of driving rain and a myriad of penalties.
“Overall, a win is a win,” said Collinson who took over the leadership of the program in June. “We have a lot of work to do. But preseason games are about getting the cobwebs out. We’ve got the game on film, so now we can correct it.”
Adam Vance was the starting quarterback for the Stingers. He played the first half of the game and posted good numbers. He completed 10 of 13 passes for 146 yards.
“Considering the weather, Adam was throwing a good ball,” said Collinson. “It was tough to do.”
Running back Widler Exilus carried the ball 11 times for 88 yards and a touchdown. He also earned praise from the head coach.
“This was Widler’s first game as a starter,” he said. “He proved he can carry the load. He did some good things out there today.”
Overall Concordia’s offence rolled up 20 first downs and 371 yards. The Stingers’ defence held York to 13 first downs and 196 yards of total offence.
“Defensively, we battled back in the second half and made key stops that we needed so the offence could go down and get points,” said Collinson.
Exilus scored the Stingers’ only touchdown. The rest of Concordia’s points came on two safeties and four field goals by kicker Andrew Stevens.
The Stingers have a bye in the first week of RSEQ action. They travel to Quebec City to meet the Laval Rouge et Or on Sept. 1. Concordia returns to Loyola campus for its home-opener on Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. The Sherbrooke Vert et Or will be the visitors.
