A slow start spoiled one of the better performances of the 2011 high school football season for the South Delta Sun Devils.
The fifth ranked school from Tsawwassen surrendered a pair of early touchdowns and never could recover in a 27-13 loss to the third ranked Ballenas Whalers on Saturday. The Sun Devils had just 20-minutes to warm-up for their conference opener after there was some difficulty locating the Parksville school.
"It basically took us out of our typical (pre-game routine) and, before we knew it, we were down two scores," said South Delta head coach Ray Moon. "The first was a blown coverage and the other was very good execution on their part.
"But we did show a lot of character after stumbling out of the block. "We played with good composure and it was probably one of our best games of the season.
Certainly, the last three quarters for sure."
Ballenas connected on another touchdown through the air on a play that was ruled a simultaneous catch - much to the disappointment of the Sun Devils who believed they had come up with a drive killing interception. The hosts also scored on a 59-yard touchdown run.
South Delta managed to stay within striking distance thanks to touchdown passes from quarterback Kyle Menzies to Mitch Dino and Nick Whitty.
The Sun Devils return home Saturday afternoon (1: 30 p.m.) to face the Winsdor Dukes in another key Western Conference battle.
