A GPS is part of the required equipment as a new era for the football program at South Delta Secondary is underway.
The Sun Devils launched the 2017 season last week with two-a-day practice sessions that culminated with controlled scrimmages in the Okanagan Saturday against the Kelowna Owls.
On Thursday, South Delta kicks off its pre-season schedule with a trip to Tacoma to face Henry Foss High — a member of the 2A Puget Sound League. It’s then down the I-5 again Sept. 8 — this time to Bellingham’s Civic Stadium — to take on Squalicum High which went undefeated in the 3A Wesco North league last season.
The Sun Devils’ extensive travelling comes while launching their inaugural junior varsity team for players in Grades 9-10.
It means there is plenty on the plate this fall for longtime head coach Ray Moon. On top of his regular duties, he will serve as defensive coordinator of the JV team and also share the head coaching role with o-line mentor Joe Burke. Mark McDonald will be the offensive coordinator for both teams.
Moon likes what he sees so far.
The Sun Devils dominated both scrimmages in Kelowna. The JVs rolled to a 30-0 win and the seniors won 28-0. The teams will continue to train together and separate for certain segments.
“We had 43 players out last week - 26 for varsity and 17 for junior varsity,” said Moon. “There should be more guys coming out for the JV team once school is back in. Being a new team, kids don’t know what to expect and can be a little apprehensive about coming out before classes have started.”
As for the seniors, the Sun Devils are considered championship contenders.
They came within a point of reaching their second “AAA” title game in three years and have an assortment of key returning players, led by 2016 provincial all-star quarterback Michael Calvert.
South Delta looks set in most skill positions and the defence has potential impact players in Andrew Kraft, Morgan Wolsey and Jacob Kirk.
What’s expected to play a big part in the Sun Devils’ destiny is the progress of their offensive line after losing four of five starters to graduation, including university bound tackles David Edwards and Justin Smith.
Ethan Prasad is the lone returnee. Others currently holding down starting positions include 2016 back-ups Nico Ouellette, Greydon Welch and Morgan Brumby, along with Riley Storey. The Calvert-led offence will only be as good as the run blocking and pass protection.
“They don’t tip the scales at 290 (pounds) like last year’s group did but they average about 265 and are good size. The concern is four of them are in Grade 12 so we will be in the exact same boat again next year,” said Moon.
Once the Sun Devils do get around to conference play, they will have plenty of tough tests, including No. 2 ranked New West, Mt. Doug, Vancouver College and newcomer Seaquam. The North Delta school won the “AA” championship last year and are led by Grade 12 twins — Tyson and Jalen Philpot.
“The interesting thing about Mt. Doug is our strengths are the exact opposites from one another. So what team makes the most progress in those areas will be the determining factor,” added Moon. “New West is a big concern too. It is essentially the same team that won the 2015 provincial JV title.”
End Zone…
The JV Sun Devils will play their first-ever game on Thursday, Sept. 14 at home to Seaquam.
