Mac snags 3 from BC, including a CFC100

The Marauders add three out-of-province commits to their Class of 2017.

Slot back, CFC100 Trew Dancey, Β from New Westminster Secondary School, will be joining his fellow British Columbian commits, offensive lineman Justin Smith and athlete Stefanos Goulas from South Delta Secondary School, as the trio head to Hamilton, Ontario, to join the McMaster Marauders.

Β Trew Dancey

Courtesy of Trew Dancey.

Standing at 6’1, 184lbs, Trew Dancey has spent five years playing with the New Westminster Hyacks (BC Secondary Schools Football Association) under Farhan Lalji, the team’s head coach.

β€œTrew is as fine a young man as I’ve been around,” Lalji said. β€œAn extremely high-character kid with the commitment and work ethic to excel at the next level. He is captain material and the type of kid that you want to hold up as an example of what your program is all about.”

Well, it will only be a few months before the future kinesiology student can demonstrate his determination with the Marauders. He said he chose McMaster because of the school’s great atmosphere, academic opportunities and football program. β€œ(The coaches) provide a great atmosphere for the players. I feel welcome and apart of the group,” Dancey added.

β€œI was very impressed with Coach Knox and his staff’s approach to recruiting Trew,” Lalji said. β€œThey do things the right way there and I feel the Mac program checks off all the boxes and is the perfect fit for Trew. Hopefully we’ll see him play a key role on Mac’s next Vanier Cup team.”

Trew Dancey carries the ball. By Alan Wardle.

It’s not a far stretch that Dancey will make an impact on the Marauders. The product of New Westminster, BC, has won the David Sidu football scholarship award for the Hyacks. As to what be brings to a team, Lalji said athleticism and versatility.

β€œHe is long, fast and fluid and has potential in a number of different positions. I think if they get him in the right spot and allow him to develop his instincts there, I think the sky is the limit,” he added. β€œI have no doubt Coach Knox and his staff will bring out the best in him.”

With one of his fledglings now flying away from the nest, Lalji has a few words of wisdom for Dancey. β€œKeep doing what you’re doing. Be as coachable as you’ve always been and stay committed to the preparation. And, as much as anything, enjoy every aspect of the next five years of your life. They will go by fast,” he said.

β€œHe’ll be missed here, but his younger brother Andros is coming into our program in grade nine, so we’re looking forward to coaching the next one!”

Justin Smith

Justin Smith (#55) stares down his opponent. Courtesy of Justin Smith.

One of the South Delta Sun Devil (BCSSAA) duo, Justin Smith, echoed similar sentiments as his cross-town rival. β€œI chose McMaster because I liked the facilities, the coaches and all of the players. I found that the team was very close and all the players seem to be good friends with one another. It seemed like a perfect fit for me,” he said.

Smith, who is also going into kinesiology, noticed a duality among the Marauders’ coaches. β€œThe coaching staff is very personable, but also very serious when it’s time to be serious,” he said. β€œThey were all very helpful throughout the recruitment process and they know the game very well.”

Originally from South Delta, BC, Smith has only played football for three years. Standing at 6’4, 275lbs, he has suited up for the South Delta Rams along with the Sun Devils (Vancouver Mainland Football League). In 2014, he won a AAA BC high school provincial championship and a BC Community Football Association) provincial championship.

Stefanos Goulas

Courtesy of Stefanos Goulas.

Stefanos Goulas won’t be travelling east alone. He is the second member of the South Delta Sun Devils duo. Hailing from Tsawwassen, BC, a suburban community in the southwest corner of Delta, Goulas said he was drawn to McMaster because of the school’s athletic and academic programs.

β€œThe football program at Mac has had much past success and I feel that I can contribute to that success going forward,” the potential kinesiology student said. β€œI really liked the atmosphere of the team and felt at home among the players and coaching staff.”

Courtesy of Stefanos Goulas.

In his ten-year career, the 5’10, 215lbs Goulas has spent seven years with the South Delta Rams and two with the Sun Devils. In 2013 and 2014, he played in the Star Bowl. In 2015, he was an on the All-Star Youth team while in 2014 and 2016, he was part of Team BC. He has racked up quite a list of achievements in his playing career so far.

Awards
SDSS Sun Devils team captain 2016
McDonalds Cup MVP Scholarship award 2016
Team BC RB Las Vegas High Roller Football Showdown 2016
Big Lick Award 2015 (South Delta Sun Devils)
Team BC RB Red River Cup 2014
Red River Cup game MVP 2014
AAA varsity Champions 2014 (South Delta Sun Devils)
BC Provincial Champions 2014 (South Delta Rams)
VMFL Champions 2014 (South Delta Rams)
Star Bowl RB 2014 (South Delta Rams)
Star Bowl LB 2013 (South Delta Rams)
Most Inspirational player 2012, 2013 (South Delta Rams)
Most outstanding player at the 2014 and 2015 UBC football camps
Best offensive player 2012 (South Delta Rams)
South Delta Secondary Athletic award

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