PREVIEW: Gee-Gees football gears up for Home Opener vs. #7 McMaster
With McMaster, the Gee-Gees get a crack at their first officially Top 10 ranked opponent this season.
September 1, 2018
On Sunday, the Gee-Gees football team will take on the McMaster Marauders in Home Opener action at Gee-Gees Field. Although the team's season started with a road loss to Laurier, the team has plenty of positives to take away from their week one matchup. After seeing game action for the first time, what looks ahead for the team is positive this season, building into what promises to be an exciting game in-front of home fans.
With McMaster, the Gee-Gees get a crack at their first officially Top 10 ranked opponent. Last season, the two teams met in Hamilton to a 24-7 win for the Marauders, the Gee-Gees were unable to find the end zone in the game, something that looks to change this time around.
Against Laurier, second-year Gee-Gees quarterback Alex Lavric looked to show strides. After a difficult first half, the Mississauga native rallied and delivered a series of strikes including two for touchdowns that showed plenty of life in the Gee-Gees attack. Lavric will look to activate his favourite targets Carter Matheson and Kalem Beaver, while also distributing the ball to fifth-year slotback Bryce Vieira, who tallied 56 total yards on five catches and two rushes against the Golden Hawks.
In recent history, the Gee-Gees have had great success at home to start the season. Since the opening of Gee-Gees Field in 2013, the team is undefeated in their Home Opener, including a 30-8 win over the Marauders in 2016.
Last week, McMaster was in a tough battle with Guelph that eventually swayed in their favour for a 16-15 win. Despite moving the ball well on offence, the Marauders were unable to find the end zone, relying on field goals to remain in the game. Guelph held the lead until the fourth quarter, when a touchdown put McMaster in-front for the win.
Last season, both teams were noted for the qualities of their defences and it looks as though the same will be true in 2018. In Waterloo, it was a mixture of old and new talent that showed out for the Gee-Gees on the defensive side of the ball.
Second-year linebacker Abed Hamidi, who has been with the team since the 2015 season, got his first start after battling injuries throughout his career. Hamidi, a local product from Earl of March S.S., led the team with eight tackles. Newcomer Kyle Rodger, a transfer from Université de Montréal also showed promise in a revamped linebacking core, finishing with five solo tackles last week. After a year away from the team, second-year defensive tackle Tramayne Stephen had an impactful return to the team registering four tackles and one sack for 15 yards.
General tickets are still available online at tickets.geegees.ca, the game is free for Gee-Gees Pass holders and all those who show their 101 Week wristband. For those unable to attend, the game will be streaming live at OUA.tv.