Ravens Blank York, Clinch First Playoff Berth Since ’96

(OTTAWA, ON) — As far as statement wins go, you would be hard-pressed to find a victory more dominant in the modern era of Carleton football than the smackdown that took place at MNP Park on Friday night. The Ravens (5-2) dominated both sides of the ball on Friday en route to a 52-0 win over the retooling York Lions (1-6), securing the program's first modern-era playoff spot in the process.

"I can't lie, it's pretty exciting," said Ravens head coach Steve Sumarah post-game. "The guys have worked hard and earned this — we still have a lot more football in front of us."

Carleton dominated from the opening kick-off against the rebuilding Lions. QB Jesse Mills (Halifax, NS) hit receiver Wilson Birch (Niagara Falls, ON) for a pair of majors inside the first six minutes, and the rout was officially on.

On the defensive side of the ball, Carleton's D-Line dominated, regularly hurrying York freshman quarterback Eric Kimmerly into poor passes. As a bonus, the Ravens managed to neutralize York feature back Jesse Amankwaa for most of the night.

A conceded safety and two more Mills passing TDs — both to Kyle Van Wynsberghe (Delhi, ON) — pushed the lead to 30-0 before Adam Graves (Belleville, ON) powered in for a late-second quarter TD on his first touch of the season.

Kicker Mike Domagala (St. Catharines, ON) added a field goal late in the second quarter, and Carleton led 40-0 at halftime. The Ravens limited York to less than 70 yards of total offence in the first half.

With many starters substituted, Carleton only managed a safety and a Domagala chip-shot in the third quarter, pushing the score to 45-0.

DB Nate Hamlin (Ottawa, ON) then rounded out the scoring on the night in fashion with a ridiculous 129-yard missed-FG return touchdown, tying a CIS record in the process. Hamlin also paced Carleton with 6.5 tackles on the night — a role typically filled by injured LB Leon Cenerini (La Salle, MB).

"In our first year, we went through a lot, and we've grown so much as a team," said Ravens RB Jahvari Bennett (Mississauga, ON), who ran for 134 yards before being lifted from the game at halftime. "It's an amazing feeling."

The Ravens now enter a bye week knowing that a win in their season finale at home against Guelph (Sat., Oct. 24, MNP Park) could earn them a coveted home playoff game.

"We want to go 6-2, so we'll be right back at out (at practice) on Tuesday and right back to work," said Ravens DB Justin Howell (Bradford, ON). "The bye week is our time — a couple days off — it's our advantage to get up on Guelph."

To see full reaction from Friday night's historic win, click here.

Source: Carleton Ravens