‘Up-and-coming’ York team draws CFC100, 2 others

York adds three Ontario commits to their 2018 class.

When CFC100 defensive lineman Kirklen Spicer from Citadel High School, offensive lineman Dawson Ladouceur from St. Mary’s High School and defensive back Matthew Vassos from St. Maximillian Kolbe Catholic High School join the York Lions, you know they will be putting their heart and soul into the team, just as the coaches will do for them.

CFC100 Kirklen Spicer

There is no place Kirklen Spicer would rather be than with the Lions. “I chose to commit to York as I want to be apart of the great culture at York and put my contributions into an up-and-coming football team with a fantastic program,” he said.

Ready to commit fully to the cause, he knows the coaches will reciprocate his commitment. “The coaching staff is amazing and so dedicated to creating success not only on the field but off (as well). The coaching staff and others who work tirelessly for the team all come with resumes that go about and beyond,” he said.

“I really mesh well with the coaches and the players,” he added. “I am super excited to be apart of the Lions’ family.”

Standing at a hulking 6’3, 310lbs, Spicer has had a fruitful career in his three years playing with the Citadel Phoenix (NSSAFFL) in his hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia. He helped his team win three provincial championships from 2015 to 2017. Prior to joining the Phoenix, he was a member of the Halifax Argos (NSMFL) for three years.

Dawson Ladouceur

Courtesy of Dawson Ladouceur.

For Dawson Ladouceur, a product of Kitchener, Ontario, York offered what he wanted and more. “York had the business program I wanted and is highly regarded, has a big campus, which I found appealing, (and) also well-run football operations,” he said. He will be taking commerce with a specialization in finance.

“The coaching staff seems very organized, welcoming, encouraging, (they) want to see their players succeed academically and athletically,” he added. He also said that Jesse Alexander, the Lions’ special teams coordinator, used to play at Laurier with his high school coach, Kyle Armour.

Ladouceur, who is 6’1, 275lbs, spent four years with the St. Mary’s Eagles (District 8) and five with the Waterloo Region Predators. He is a two-time participant in the Fox 40 Prospect Challenge. In 2015, he was the Eagles’ lineman MVP. He also won a Midwest National Youth Football Championship during a tournament help in Canto Ohio in 2015.

Matthew Vassos

When Matthew Vassos visited York, he received a warm welcome from the coaches. “I chose to commit to York because of the direction they are headed in and the great coaching staff they have in place…they made me feel like family through this process,” he said. “I’m super excited to work with them. They have been very honest with me and they have a very determined coaching staff.”

Vassos, who is 5’9, 165lbs, is already used to playing under the name “Lions.” In high school, he played with the York Region Lions (OVFL). He was also a member of the St. Maximilian Kolbe Mustangs (YRAA). Vassos, who is from Aurora, Ontario, was the Mustangs’ 2017 defensive MVP. He was also named as the team’s hardest hitter, was a YRAA all-star and was the team MVP. In 2016, he won a perseverance award with the Mustangs. Before that, he was a 2015 defensive MVP with the York Simcoe Bucs (the former name of the York Lions) and was a YRAA all-star. He also partook in the Ontario Prospect Challenge, the former name of the Fox 40 Prospect Challenge, that year. In 2012, he was the Bucs’ most improved player. He will be taking kinesiology.

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