A preseason game in Kingston turned into a highly emotional frenzy, ultimately allowing the Gaels to start their season off on the right foot.
On Aug. 23, the Laval Rouge et Or travelled to Richardson Stadium to take on the Gaels in a Réseau du Etudiant Sport Quebec (RESQ) versus OUA preseason matchup. This was one of four matchups on the same day between the RESQ and the OUA, who normally would only play each other at the USports national stage. The Rouge et Or were the first-place winners of the RESQ in the 2025 season, going 7-1.
Queen’s got off to a rocky start, giving up a 40-yard punt return to put the Rouge et Or in the red zone. As the Rouge et Or’s offence pushed closer to the endzone, Gaels defensive back Dan Mikwete, ArtSci ’29, intercepted a pass inside the endzone, offering a crucial turnover.
Despite the momentum change, Queen’s’ offence was stymied by Laval’s suffocating defence. Under immense pressure, the Gaels forfeited a safety for ball . This would turn out to be the right strategic move as Queen’s scored a field goal late in the first quarter for an early 3-2 lead.
The second quarter got off to yet another quick start, as the Gaels offence looked like they were about to push down the field until a massive 35-yard sack by the Rouge et Or forced the Gaels to take an additional safety. The ball would continue to be given back and forth to both teams until Laval had a real threat to increase their lead to four, but missed the field goal and settled for the rouge.
This seemed to energize the Queen’s offence who, for much of the first half of this game, had little going right for them.
Quarterback Alex Vreeken, Kin ’27, unleashed a deep ball to wide receiver Logan Walton, ArtSci ’29, to push into Laval territory. It would be followed up by a usual connection between Vreekan and wide receiver Russell Weir, ArtSci ’27, to get them into the red zone. To finish the drive, they turned to Walton again, this time with a screen pass that led him into the endzone untouched.
The Queen’s defence kept the momentum with a quick stop, which gave the Gaels under two minutes with second string quarterback Ashton St. Germain, ArtSci ’29, at the helm. St. Germain would throw a pass intended for Lowden that ended up in the hands of Queen’s wide receiver Ben Falkowsky, ArtSci ’29, who raced down the field deep into Laval territory. Queen’s settled for a field goal, and then subsequently give up a field goal, making it 13-8 Gaels at halftime.
Laval came out firing, pushing down the field and earning a touchdown under four minutes into the third quarter and taking the 15-13 lead. After Queen’s offence was denied, Laval pushed down the field again but ultimately ended the rush with another missed field goal. The Gaels would capitalize on yet another St. Germain to Falkowsky connection as Falkowsky raced to the endzone on a 60-yard pass and run, giving the Gaels a 19-15 lead. Laval would add a field goal at the end of third quarter.
The fourth quarter started like the third, with a Laval touchdown putting them ahead 25-19. The Gaels added a 70-yard rouge midway through the quarter to make it 25-20. After getting within five yards, the Gaels would forfeit another safety, their third of the game, giving Laval a seven-point lead and control of the game. Laval then drove down the field into Queen’s territory and missed yet another field goal, giving the Gaels one last chance with just over a minute to go
The Gaels, led by a number of second-string players, pushed down the field and executed a 20-yard touchdown reception by Falkowsky with 10 seconds left to get them within one. The Gaels decided to go for two with the game on the line, ultimately succeeding in their conversion attempt to give them a one-point lead. After Queen’s added a rouge on the kickoff, Laval would try to win the game in a last-ditch effort, but to no avail, with Queen’s taking the game 29-27.
The Journal spoke with Gaels Head Coach Steve Snyder post-game on the field. Snyder was content with the fact that the game came down to the wire.
“I’m glad it came down to a close game, where you got to work on decisions and situational plays,” Snyder said. “I thought it was really good for our football team.”
Snyder was also just as glad to see most of his team perform at a high level without injury during a preseason game. “It was everything we wanted to accomplish.”
Queen’s Football will open their season on the road as they face the Toronto Varsity Blues on Aug. 30. Their first home game will be on Sept. 12 when they take on the Waterloo Warriors at Richardson Stadium
Tags
men's football, Preseason, USPORTS
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