Provincial infiltration (VIDEO)

Sault Ste. Marie running back, Brampton offensive lineman newest recruits for OUA team’s 2014 class.

An OUA team has successfully landed two provincial offensive standouts.

Sault Ste. Marie running back Eli Fera and Brampton offensive lineman Nick Oppong are the two newest members of the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks.

“We are very excited about the newest two members of the Laurier Golden Hawks football team,” commented Golden Hawks Head Coach Michael Faulds of both recruits, who will join the team for the 2014 OUA season.  “Both Eli and Nick will come into training camp and compete immediately.”

ELI FERA:

The 5’10, 185 pound running back from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario liked the promise and direction the Golden Hawks showed and felt it was a good fit for him.

It didn’t hurt that the Golden Hawks actively pursued Fera, despite of the challenges he faced during the recruitment process.

What sealed the deal for Fera was his official visit to the campus.

“I committed to Laurier because You can just tell they are a young very talented football team who are on the rise and I want to be a part of that big turnaround they will have next year or the year after,” explained Fera of his decision.  “Also, the Golden Hawks didn’t give up on recruiting me when I wasn’t eligible for CIS football due to grades which meant other universities stop talking to me and they motivated me to keep getting the grades up in my fifth year; that was really special to me because the coaching staff really cared.”

“Also going down for a visit I felt like, I was already a part of a family and fell in love with the campus and the fan base Laurier has and how great of an atmosphere Laurier football has.”

The Ontario running back comes to the Golden Hawks with a wealth of gridiron experience and talent. This past summer, Fera led the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) in rushing yards as he amassed 1122 rushing yards (an average of 9.7 yards per carry) and scored nine touchdowns while suiting up for the Essex Ravens.  His efforts on the field netted him his third consecutive OVFL All-Star selection.  Currently, Fera is completing his final season of high school football for Catholic Central Comets of the Windsor and Essex County Secondary Schools Athletic Association (WECSSAA).

“I would like to thank my High school coaches Coach Jalil Khoury and Chris Hatt for making me a better person and for teaching me to become a good man along with my coach from the Essex Ravens Glenn Mills who has always pushed me to do better and he is a great motivator,” added Fera.  “Without these men I wouldn’t be in the spot I am in today.”

The Golden Hawks are thrilled that their efforts have paid off in landing a player with tremendous talent and potential such as Fera.

“Eli is a terrific running back, who led the OVFL in rushing yards this summer with the Essex Ravens,” commented Faulds of the commitment.  “He is a very tough player, who sees the field extremely well and doesn’t shy away from contact.”

“Coach Ryan Lynch (Golden Hawks Running Backs Coach) is very excited to coach such a talented running back.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqLmqzHRO8Y

NICK OPPONG:

A combination of academic and the football program are reasons the 6’4, 260 pound offensive lineman from Brampton, Ontario committed to the Golden Hawks.

“One of the main factors that drew me to Laurier was their business school,” reflected Oppong of his decision.  “Laurier has always been one of my top choices seeing that I want to get into an accounting program for my post-secondary.”

“Another factor is the determination and passion of the coaching staff. The hard work that they are willing to put in really drew towards their program.  Finally, the fact that they made me feel truly welcome during my visit to their campus and that everyone in the program is a family was all factors that drew me to the program.”

Currently, Oppong, whose position is left tackle on the offensive line, is completing his high school career with Sr. Edmund Campion Bears of the Region of Peel Secondary Schools Athletic Association (ROPSSAA).

The Golden Hawks like the potential Oppong possesses and are looking forward to working with him in the future.

“Nick comes from a good football program at St Edmund Campion and at 6’4, 258 pounds has a great frame and a ton of potential,” said Faulds.  “With the coaching he will receive here by Coach Irv Daymond (Golden Hawks Offensive Line Coach), he has the ability to have a great CIS career.”

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