The South Delta Sun Devils are hoping ample playing time for Hunter Norman is about to pay off, beginning Friday night.
The Grade 11 quarterback will be making his first start at the senior varsity level when the top ranked Sun Devils (6-0-0) travel to Mercer Stadium to take on the New West Hyacks (5-1-0) with first place in the Western AAA Conference on the line.
Norman will be the team’s No.1 pivot for the next two games at least after Ben McDonald suffered a broken collarbone in the late stages of Saturday’s 28-14 win over the Mt. Doug Rams at Dennison Park.
The 2018 provincial all-star and top university prospect is expected to be sidelined between four-to-six weeks. It means his team has to advance to the provincial semi-final (Nov. 23) for any chance of him stepping on the field again this season.
A win over the Hyacks would go a long way towards making that happen.
Not only would the Devils lock-up first place and an opening round bye but also secure the top playoff seed and a more favourable quarter-final match-up. A loss could drop South Delta to third place with Vancouver College (5-1-0) also being part of a potential three-way tiebreaker.
Norman has made relief appearances in four of the Sun Devils’ past five games and certainly stepped up in his first pressure-packed situation Saturday by firing a 33-yard game-clinching touchdown strike to Rhys Porteous on his first series. He then calmly hit Damon Badenhorst for the two-point convert. But make no mistake, South Delta has lost one of the province’s most dynamic players that simply can’t be replaced.
It will be up to offensive coordinator Mark McDonald to work with Norman’s strengths. The Sun Devils still have plenty of other playmakers and it’s a matter of their young pivot making the right reads to get the ball in their hands.
“We’re glad to see Hunter came out and performed. Friday’s going to be an interesting game as there is always no love loss between us and New West,” said Sun Devils head coach Ray Moon, moments after the game. “Things have changed now and it’s going to take some different planning on our part to prepare.”
McDonald was injured on a fourth and short situation when he dove past the yardsticks after rolling out. A tender shoulder had limited his throwing range the past couple of games but didn’t prevent him from firing a 30-yard strike to Jackson Ballie in the opening quarter as the Devils raced out to a 20-0 lead.
It did mean the Devils’ leaning more on a short passing game that also helped negate the Rams’ physical pass rush.
“We didn’t have the time for sure and Ben’s arm isn’t 100 percent so there were a lot of quick hitters,” said standout receiver Evan Paterson who enjoyed another productive afternoon. “It ended up being a grind today but I’m just happy we came out of it with a win.”
The Sun Devils’ early outburst also included McDonald scoring on a 35-yard run and hitting Porteous from four-yards out.
The defence came up with a big goalline stand in opening quarter and produced a fumble that turned into another a touchdown. A second half interception by 6-foot-3 Grade 11 cornerback Evan Davies also turned back a Rams’ drive. It was his team leading fourth of the year.
“He has developed into a shutdown corner for us,” added Moon. “With his size and just the way he glides to the ball, it’s been great.”
End Zone…
- The Sun Devils will be trying to win back the Bill Kushnir Boot for the first time since 2016 season. It’s presented annually to the winner of the rivalry game named after the longtime teacher and administrator who launched the football programs at both schools. The Delta Sports Hall of Fame inductee passed away in 2009.
- Saturday’s win capped another unbeaten season for the Devils at Dennison Park. They were forced to move their games across the street while the SDSS Oval track was being resurfaced. The last time South Delta played all its games at Dennison was back in the 2014 campaign that concluded with a provincial title.
