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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday May 3, 2008 - 31 SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) email sports@oakvillebeaver.com Sports Oakville Beaver Draft reunites long-time friends Luciani, Hood finally get chance to be teammates with Eskimos By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF 71 ENNISCLARE DR OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 2-4 They came from U.S. colleges like Central Michigan and from Canadian university football powers like St. Mary's. But for the Edmonton Eskimos, nothing proved to be as fruitful as Mrs. Lang's Grade 4 class at Falgarwood Public School. That's where Dante Luciani and Jonathan Hood began a friendship that they will continue as they both vie for spots on the Canadian Football League team. Edmonton drafted the two former schoolmates in Wednesday's Canadian college draft. Hood was selected in the fourth round, 26th overall. Eight picks later, the Eskimos took Luciani in the fifth round. "I'm sure he's going to tease me about it a lot," Luciani said of being drafted after his pal. "I won't hear the end of it." Of course, the best way to make their draft positions irrelevant would be for both to make the team when they head to training camp later this month. Despite their long-time friendship, it would be the first time they've ever been teammates. Hood moved Mississauga just before graduating from Falgarwood. Since then football has taken them in different directions. Friends took different paths After graduating from St. Thomas Aquinas, Luciani went west to Laurier while Hood went from Mississauga's Father Goetz and headed east to St. Francis Xavier. They also took on opposite roles. Luciani began as a quarterback but was converted to a receiver at Laurier. Meanwhile, Hood spends his time trying to break up passes as a defensive back. Hood was a first-team Atlantic University allstar for the Xmen, recording 12 solo tackles, eight assists and forcing a fumble in eight games. Luciani had 25 receptions for 259 yards and seven touchdowns in eight games for the Golden Hawks. That earned him Ontario University Athletics second-team all-star honours. But Luciani started laying the groundwork for the draft long before that. Prior to the season, he caught six passes for 142 yards and one touchdown to earn offensive MVP honours for the West in last year's East/West Bowl, the annual showcase for draft eligible players. In that game, in which Hood suited up for the East, Luciani also caught a 24-yard pass that set up the game-winning field goal in the West's 22-19 overtime victory. It was reminiscent of two years earlier, when his reception on third-and-17 kept a Laurier drive alive in the final minutes of the Vanier Cup. Six Located on one of Oakville's most sought after streets south of Lakeshore Road. Approximately 5000 sq ft above grade and a fully finished lower level. Incredible kitchen/family room combination with multiple walkouts to spacious covered decks. 10' ceilings on the main level, and 9' plus vaulted throughout most of the second. Extra deep window wells in the lower level. Extraordinarily high finishes throughout the home. $3,650,000 AMAZING FINISHES 347 CHARTWELL RD OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 2-4 Brand new custom built home stocked with features. Brazilian hdwds & tumbled stone flooring. Gorgeous kit opens to the famrm & features an entire wall of built ins surrounding a gas fireplace. Both kit/famrm overlook the back gardens. Luxurious MBR with coffered ceilings, custom built ins & a sensual master bath. Partially finished lower level. $2,150,000 NEW IN SOUTH EAST 245 MAPLEGROVE OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 2-4 NEW ESKIMO FAN : Dante Luciani, jumping for a pass in the 2006 Vanier Cup, was drafted by the Edmonton Eskimos Wednesday. The Wilfrid Laurier receiver will be joined at Edmonton's training camp by best friend Jonathan Hood, who was chosen by the Eskimos one round earlier. plays later, Laurier kicked a last-minute field goal that gave the Golden Hawks a 24-23 victory in the national university championship game. While he was thrilled to be drafted, the 22year-old is not taking anything for granted. "It was definitely a relief, but it's just the first step," he said. "I want to go there and prove I belong and hopefully they'll find a spot for me." There will be another reunion at the Eskimos' camp. Luciani played for Danny Maciocia when the Eskimos coach headed up the Canadian under-20 team. Not all allegiances survived Wednesday's draft, though. Luciani's family are long-time Hamilton season ticket holders and he even dressed up as a Ticat player for Halloween. "Growing up I was a Hamilton Ticats fan," he said, "but I'm an Eskimos fan now." Spectacular bungaloft custom built by "Dolman" in south-east Oakville. Great floor plan featuring main floor master bedroom suite, huge open concept kitchen/family room and high ceilings. Hardwood floors throughout, designer kitchen and baths. Fully finished lower level. Landscaping is completed. Immediate possession is available. $1,799,000 MAIN LEVEL MASTER 1424 THE LINKS OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 2-4 Extremely well maintained executive home featuring maple hardwoods & limestone flooring. Recently updated kitchen & new luxurious master ensuite. Private backyard with inground pool lush landscaping & an irrigation system. Interlocking drive & walkways & new stone front steps. Great finished lower level with nanny suite, 3 pc bath & large recreation room. $1,069,000 DESIRABLE FAIRWAY HILLS #1 group in Canada! MILLER REAL ESTATE LTD. BROKERAGE DON GOODALE* BRAD MILLER** for Century 21 in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 & 2007 905-845-9180 View our listings & virtual tours at www.GoodaleMillerTeam.com Arakgi also drafted, see page 32 your way to buy locally. Millions of dollars in Luxury Items to bid on... Coming soon! Luxury AUCTION The Hamilton Spectator May 1-12