parpho@rogers.com

KINGSTON, Ont. (October 15, 2011) – Ryan Granberg of Sherwood Park, Alta. led the Gaels (5-2) with four touchdowns and 245 rushing yards which paced Queen's to a 53-0 win over the Waterloo Warriors (0-7).

Both teams battled through rain, wind, and mud as they faced off on Saturday afternoon. The ceremonial kick-off was taken by Base Commander Colonel Stephen Cadden as the Queen's Gaels showed their support for the families of troops at CFB Kingston Family Appreciation Day.

In the first quarter the Warriors were forced back into their own end by the Gaels defense. A high snap went over punter and Napanee, Ont. native Alex Cowle and out of the endzone to give the Gaels a 2-0 lead off the safety.

The Gaels started to drive down the field when Billy McPhee of Burlington, Ont. found Justin Chapdelaine of Abbotsford, B.C. who made a spectacular diving grab on the one yard line. The play set up a one yard touchdown run from Granberg, putting the Gaels in front 9-0.

A botched kick return catch from the Warriors gave the Gaels another safety, making it 10-0.

In the second quarter, McPhee threw a dart into the wind and Chris Patrician of Toronto, Ont. made an over-the-shoulder catch as he was streaking to the far corner of the endzone. With the touchdown the Gaels took a 17-0 lead.

Granberg punched in his second touchdown of the game shortly afterwards, bringing the Gaels lead to 24-0. Granberg had brought the Gaels into striking distance, running the ball with relative ease as he was dominant with carrying the ball.

Just before halftime Granberg ran another ball right through the middle of Waterloo`s defence into the endzone, extending the Gaels lead to 31-0.

On the first play of the third quarter, Giovanni Aprile of Toronto ran the kick-off 108 yards back across the field for a touchdown, giving the Gaels a convincing 38-0 lead.

The Gaels made it 45-0 shortly after, as Granberg ran in his fourth touchdown, as the Warriors could not find a solution for his rushing attack.

In the fourth, Dan Village of Abbotsford, B.C. missed a field goal attempt but still put up a single point for the Gaels as he kicked it through the endzone, making it 46-0.

First year quarterback Ryan Mitchell of Toronto completed another long pass to Aprile, who had no problem finishing the play and running the ball into the endzone to put the Gaels up 53-0. The pass was Mitchell's first career touchdown throw.

This was the final score of the game as the Queen's Gaels weathered the storm to beat the Waterloo Warriors in a lopsided win at Richardson.

The Gaels return to action next Saturday when they take on the Western Mustangs at Richardson Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 pm.