Staying focused key to Marauders Vanier Cup win

First-year McMaster Marauders wide receiver Daniel Peterman is looking forward to Friday.

That’s the day his parents, brother and sister will join him in Montreal as the Stoney Creek native prepares with his teammates to compete in Saturday’s Vanier Cup.

“I am excited to have them here and to take part in this,” said Peterman, a first-year Humanities student from Cardinal Newman Secondary School. He was speaking after practice Thursday under a dome-covered field on the campus of Concordia University in West Montreal.

Peterman and his Marauders teammates have been busy since arriving in Montreal Tuesday evening. They’ve held two practices, one at Concordia and the other at the site of the Vanier Cup game – Molson Stadium on the campus of McGill University.

There have been media interviews, photo and video shoots and drills to run. The week before the national championship is quite different than the regular season routine, but the McMaster squad is a blend of veterans – some competing in their third Vanier Cup – and first time championship combatants.

“The veteran players keep reminding us to stay focused,” says second-year wide receiver Danny Vandervoort who is playing in his first Vanier Cup. “Right now that is all that’s important, staying focused on our jobs for Saturday.”

On Friday, the team will have a final walk-through at Molson Stadium. Friday evening, the McMaster Alumni Association will host a dinner for the team and coaches.

The ongoing support back on campus and from alumni and fans across the country is very much appreciated by the team and coaches in Montreal.

A reminder if you can’t make it to Montreal Saturday, there will be several viewing parties on campus including in the Burridge Gym, in TwelvEighty Restaurant and in the Phoenix Pub. In addition, alumni are hosting viewing parties across the country.

Kick off of the 50th Vanier Cup between McMaster and Universite de Montreal is 1:00 p.m.