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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, June 30, 2016 | 38 Kevin Nagel Sports Editor knagel@burlingtonpost.com Sports ness," said his former high school coach. "When universities started asking about him and asking where he played, I told them he was a great pass rusher, but was also great offensively. He can do anything. He's the most complete player I've ever coached." It would be on the offensive side of the ball that Cross would make his mark with the McMaster Marauders, helping the team win a pair of Yates Cup titles. Cross lined up most of the time as a receiver but also saw time in the backfield as a fullback, where he averaged 6.5 yards per carry. He was limited to just four games in his final season with the Marauders but had made enough of a name for himself with his versatility and blocking ability that he was on the radar of CFL teams. On the night of the draft, Cross went to the driving range and then drove to his aunt's house to watch the draft. When the fourth round began, the Toronto Argos took Cross 27th overall. "It was really amazing," he said of being selected by Toronto. "I was really happy but I didn't want to get too high. It's just an opportunity." His high school coach said an opportunity is all Cross ever needed. "He's got a great work ethic and great enthusiasm," Moscato said. "He's very smart; he was a straight A student. People just gravitate toward him." Cross turned heads with a onehanded catch in training camp, though Argo coach Scott Milanovich told him his best chance to make the opening-night roster was as a special teams player. "I really focused on that, studied the plays and worked on my technique," he said. · · · · Thursday night was a big night for the Argos as they played their first game at BMO Field. As the team ran on to the field to see a sea of blue shirts, Cross was there with them. "It was an amazing atmosphere," he said. "To be there playing in the first game in a new stadium, the home opener, my first game, it was really special." But despite all that was going on, Cross didn't get nervous. "Getting to this level, it's part of being a pro," he said. "I've always believed in what I can do. You just try to stay relaxed and be in a good place." "Connected to your Community" From Trinity to Toronto Oakville's Declan Cross makes his CFL debut with Argos By Herb Garbutt Oakville Beaver staff Declan Cross wasn't focused on who he was trying to stop, just how he was going to stop him. His coaches had prepared him well and he followed their instructions to the letter. He closed quickly and focused on the angle he approached the ball carrier. "Once you get in close, he's like any other player," the 22-year-old said. "The only difference is he's faster." Well, the other difference when trying to bring down the Hamilton Ticats' Brandon Banks, the CFL 's reigning special teams player of the year, is if you miss, you're probably going to be watching him run a long, long way. Cross didn't miss, dropping Banks for a three-yard loss on the fourth quarter punt return for his first CFL tackle. · · · · Growing up, Cross played a lot of baseball. While he loved chasing down fly balls, "you didn't get to do enough," he said. "You were standing around most of the time." He tried basketball and while that gave him the action he desired, it didn't have the contact he craved. Football, which he started playing as an 11-year-old with the Burlington Stampeders, gave him a good mix of everything. By the time he arrived on Holy Trinity's senior football team, coach Joe Moscato already had a wellrounded player he could utilize in any role. "He had good size, speed, tough- | photo by Michael Ivanin -- Oakville Beaver file photo Oakville's Declan Cross made his CFL debut last Thursday for Toronto in the Argos' season opener at BMO Field. Cross, who played at Holy Trinity (inset), was drafted in the fourth round of this year's CFL draft after four years at McMaster University. | photo courtesy of the Toronto Argonauts Happy Canada Day dj and dancing every friday. come in for euro cup specials and enter for your chance to win a carlsberg fridge!!!! 905-338-5458 www.draftedsportsbar.com 379 Speers Rd., @ Dorval