Head coach Ray Moon is still basking in his team's provincial championship win and at the same time fielding plenty of inquiries about his football players.
The South Delta Sun Devils' memorable run to the AAA title has generated lots of interest from university programs across the country. Some players were already considered top prospects and the team's post-season performance has added plenty more to the list.
Provincial all-star quarterback Lucas Kirk, who threw for six touchdowns in the 55-30 championship game win over Mt. Douglas, and MVP Jack McDonald are going to have their choice of where to play.
"Lucas and Jack have both received multiple offers," said Moon. "Schools are also very interested in Blake (Gau) and Bryce (Connors). They also like Thomas (Franklin) as a receiver with his size and speed. I also think Gord (Cooper) is going to get the same opportunity as a receiver.
"What's also very interesting is I'm getting calls about our Grade 11 and even our Grade 10 players who they can't even talk to yet."
Both Kirk and McDonald said post-game they were still exploring their options and were uncommitted to any school. However, that hasn't stopped some from stepping up their pursuit of the pair and then some.
According to Moon, the University of Guelph is arranging to fly in Kirk, McDonald, Gau and Connors for a tour of the campus. Other Ontario schools in the hunt include University of Toronto and Western University where SDSS grad and current Saskatchewan Roughrider Dylan Ainsworth enjoyed an outstanding career. There are also opportunities to play closer to home in the Canada West Conference.
Among the Grade 11s on university coaches' radar are Ryan von Ende and Wyatt Bates who were part of young South Delta offensive line that did an outstanding job all season. Last week, Von Ende was named to the U18 B.C. team that will be competing in this weekend's Tanoa Bowl in Auburn, Wa. The event will also feature competition from Oregon, Alaska and Hawaii.
In the meantime, coaches and returning players have about another month's worth of rest before preparation for the 2015 campaign begins. The offseason program includes weight training three days a week and skill sessions that will head outdoors in April.
"We could start the season right now with the kids we have coming back," said Moon. "The key will be what kind of depth we have which is so important to compete at the AAA level and the big part of our success this season."
The Sun Devils will have some more excellent talent coming up from a the community Bantam Rams program which went undefeated in route to the B.C. title this season. He also no longer has to worry about potentially losing local kids to other programs.
"When I first came here, there were 12 (South Delta) kids playing at Vancouver College," Moon recalls.
"This year there were two.
We think it's pretty good option to stay here to play football."
The record speaks for itself.
