Golden Hawks connected “with ease”

Golden Hawks add five to their 2018 class.

Being a student-athlete is a combination of sports and academics, and wide receiver Xavier Masotti from Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School and linebackers Jeremiah Marriott from Senator O’Connor College School and Patrick Burke Jr. from Richview Collegiate Institute will have the support of the coaches from Sir Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks as they navigate their academic and athletic futures.

Fullback Leo Hernandez from Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School and wide receiver Trent Parkes from St. Roch Catholic Secondary School will also be joining the Golden Hawks.

Xavier Masotti

All Xavier Masotti needed was one visit to realize that his future lies with Laurier. “At first sight I knew Laurier was the place I wanted to be since I bonded with the coaches with ease and felt like family already. That’s what I look for in a coaching staff and they met those requirements,” he said.

“I chose to commit to Laurier due to its well-developed football program and its welcoming and comfortable community,” he added.

Masotti spent one year on the Burlington Stampeders (Burlington Minor Football Association) and one on the Hamilton Hurricanes (CJFL). In grade 11, he participated in the Fox 40 Prospect Challenge. In high school, he played five seasons with the Bishop Ryan Celtics (Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic Athletic Association). While at the Steel City Bowl all-star game, he was named as the game MVP as a member of Team East.

The 6’5, 190lbs athlete from Hamilton, Ontario, will be taking a bachelor of arts with business electives.

Jeremiah Marriott

When Jeremiah Marriott met with the Golden Hawks’ coaches, he walked away with a great sense of positivity. “Laurier’s football coaching staff is genuine, blunt people who view you more than just a football player and instead like a son. That’s the vibe I got. They care for your well-being on and off the field,” he said.

“I chose to commit to Laurier because it fit my academic needs best and has a great football program that I feel I can be apart of and make a difference,” the potential sociology student added.

Marriott, who is from Scarborough, Ontario, has played with the Toronto Thunder (OVFL) and the Senator O’Connor Blues (Toronto District College Athletic Association). The 6’2, 220lbs middle linebacker is a two-time Thunder defensive MVP and a three-time OVFL all-star.

Another stud! LB Jeremiah Marriott @jcmarriott_ is a Golden Hawk! @LaurierFootball @WLUAthletics @ScarboroThunder pic.twitter.com/800CE1MfJO

— Michael Faulds (@MichaelFaulds) January 25, 2018

Patrick Burke Jr.

Patrick Burke has a dream, and he isn’t willing to give up on it. “My goal is to become a professional football player one day in NFL or CFL and I’m willing to put in all the work to get there,” he said.

While it may be a while yet before he obtains his life-long goal, he has already filled another dream of his. “I chose Laurier because it has always been my dream school for me academically and sports wise because they help their athletes excel on the field and off of it, which is great because football can end anytime, so you are prepared for any outcome that life has to offer even if it’s non-football related,” he said.

Burke’s backup career is becoming a teacher. He plans on taking English and literature writing because he said he loves English.

Back on the football side of life, Burke is ready to play his heart out for a coaching staff he calls great. “They help their players reach their full potential and they have a great connection between their players, which is important,” he said.

“When a coaching staff cares for their players on and off the field, it makes the players go all out during practice and games while having fun at the same time, which makes them such a great school,” he added.

In Burke’s six-year career, he has played with the Etobicoke Eagles (OVFL) and the Richview CI Saints (Region of Peel Secondary School Athletic Association) in his hometown of Etobicoke, Ontario. He is a three-time champion with the Eagles and was also the team’s defensive MVP. While with the Saints, the 6’2, 190lbs SAM linebacker has helped his team capture a junior championship and a senior and Metro Bowl (OFSAA) championship in his grade 12 year.

Excited to add an impact player to the @LaurierFootball 2018 Recruiting Class! 6’2 185pd Sam LB/DB Patrick Burke Jr of @Athletics_RCI & @EtobicokeEagles committed today. Outstanding young man and player. #WeAreHAWKS pic.twitter.com/kGsKcVGI54

— Dwayne Cameron (@CoachDCameron) February 16, 2018

Leo Hernandez

Leo Hernandez will be joining his fellow Bishop Ryan Celtic teammate on the Golden Hawks. Standing at 5’10, 220lbs, the product of Hamilton, Ontario, is interested in majoring in sociology with the goal of becoming a police officer.

He told HamiltonNews.com that “The visit (to Laurier) was great. It was kind of shocking to me, to be honest, because I’ve never been one of the stars of the team. I’ve been one of the grinders.”

Two great additions to @LaurierFootball & @WLUAthletics from @BRFootballSr in Hamilton. 6’5” 190lb WR Xavier Masotti @xaviermasotti and 5’10” 220lb FB Leo Hernandez @leo_hernandez24 Thank you Coach Wade @NLFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/yB3c4QLaeW

— Michael Faulds (@MichaelFaulds) January 23, 2018

Trent Parkes

Trent Parkes will be joining the Golden Hawks after wrapping up a career with the St. Roch Ravens (ROPSSAA). Originally from Brampton, Ontario, he is 6’1, 205lbs.

Excited to announce the latest commitment to the 2018 @LaurierFootball class.
6’1 206pd WR @ParkesTrentc of @rochfootball. Big, strong, athletic target with a lot of upside. Welcome to the Family Trent! #WeAreHAWKS pic.twitter.com/6nFWOEWVqs

— Dwayne Cameron (@CoachDCameron) January 31, 2018

Congrats @ParkesTrentc on your signing with @LaurierFootball ! pic.twitter.com/KJ0uUHDeHL

— Roch Football (@rochfootball) February 15, 2018