Fond memories
Marauders quarterback at home on the road
Jackson White has fond memories of past visits to University Stadium and there have been a few he’d rather forget.
The McMaster Marauders’ first-year quarterback said he would focus on the former this week as he prepared for Saturday’s massive Ontario University Athletics football showdown against the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks.
McMaster, No. 5 in the U Sports national rankings, will earn a first-round playoff bye with a win and No. 7 Wilfrid Laurier can do the same, as long as the No. 4 Western Mustangs beat the unranked Ottawa Gee-Gees in London.
“I’m really looking forward to this game. The stadium is 20 minutes from my house and it’s definitely the biggest game of the year for us,” said the 19-year-old White, a Cambridge native who played high school football at Jacob Hespeler. “Both teams know what’s at stake and I expect it will be like a playoff game ... a first-round bye would be huge.”
The six-foot-four, 230-pound White has led Marauders to five straight victories since taking over the No. 1 job from Andreas Dueck. He has been a steady performer since starting a 24-7 win over the Ottawa Gee-Gees in Week 3 and is currently the most accurate passer in the conference with a 67.3 per cent completion rate.
Overall, White has clicked on 101 of 150 pass attempts for 1,407 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions. He has also made the most of his rushing opportunities and has gained 227 yards on 36 attempts, for an average run of 6.3 yards.
Marauders head coach Greg Knox has been pleased with White’s progress this season, both on the field and behind the scenes.
“To me, he’s a hockey player playing football, and being a hockey player from Peterborough myself, I love that about him,” said Knox.
“He’s got a throwback attitude that my generation of athletes can appreciate,” he said.
“That’s endeared him to the coaching staff and will pay huge dividends for him on the field and with leadership in the dressing room.”
White, who did play Jr. C hockey for the Ayr Centennials, went 2-1 at University Stadium this past summer while playing for the Cambridge Lions of the Ontario Provincial Football League. Last fall, at the same venue, he guided Jacob Hespeler to a 44-14 win over the Guelph CVI Gaels in the CWOSSA championship.
He was also on hand, as a spectator, when Jacob Hespeler won its first Waterloo County (WCSSAA) championship in 2013 against the Resurrection Phoenix.
White’s father, Greg, is the longtime head coach at Jacob Hespeler and White, the son, recalls that game against Rez as “one of the best games I’ve witnessed.”
The speed and physicality of OUA football have been the biggest adjustments, said White, who recalls a hit by Guelph Gryphons defensive lineman Alain Cimankinda as especially painful. During that same game, White also grimaced on the sidelines as Gryphons quarterback James Roberts, a former teammate at Jacob Hespeler, was rocked by Marauders defensive end Mark Mackie. “I’m a lot sorer on Sundays than I used to be after playing for Lions or Jacob Hespeler,” said White. “The hits are definitely a lot harder.”
The Marauders, who are coming off a sluggish 29-13 victory over the Windsor Lancers, will arrive at University Stadium with revenge on their minds. The Hawks eliminated the Marauders from the OUA playoffs last year and defeated Western one week later to win the Yates Cup.
All teams are banged up at this time of the year and the week off that goes along with a first-round bye would be welcomed by both teams.
“Laurier is obviously going to be a tough opponent but we’re certainly looking forward to Saturday and having a chance to get revenge for our tough loss to them in the playoffs last year,” said Knox.
While most of the crowd will be cheering on the Hawks, White said he expects a significant number of friends and family will be there to support him as he tries to take his team into the playoffs on a winning note.
The McMaster roster also includes Mario Alyas (Cambridge, Jacob Hespeler), Hassan Barry (Cambridge, Eastwood), Brandon Cosgrove (Cambridge, Preston), Riley Pilkey (Cambridge, Jacob Hespeler), and Tavian Shand (Kitchener, Forest Heights).
Meanwhile, the Waterloo Warriors (4-4) need help this weekend to earn their first trip to the playoffs since 2003. Currently holding the sixth and final seed, the Warriors need losses from Queen’s (vs. Toronto) and Carleton (vs. Guelph) to maintain that position.