Brian Higgins happened to be in the right place at the right time when he landed one of the biggest recruits in the history of the South Delta Sun Devils football program.
It was just over 12 years ago when the then head coach dropped by the school gym one night while the senior girls volleyball team was playing. He couldn't help notice one of the parents in the stands was wearing a coach's football jacket.
Ray Moon was working with the Meadow Ridge Knights midget football program at the time.
"Brian was a (St. Thomas More) graduate and when he saw the Knights on the my jacket that's where he thought I was coaching," recalled Moon.
When Higgins learned his Moon's two daughters attended South Delta and he was a Tsawwassen resident, his next thought was a potential addition to his coaching staff. Moon had enjoyed plenty of success in his three years with the Meadow Ridge program, but the idea of coaching in his own backyard made it an easy decision.
"With the travel, it was basically a 5 1/2 hour commitment three times a week," chuckled the 55-year-old. "I usually wasn't home until 10: 30 or 11 p.m."
The former Vancouver College standout and B.C. Corrections officer would serve as the Sun Devils defensive coordinator.
When Higgins departed after the 2005 season, Moon stepped into the head coaching role and hasn't looked back since. South Delta has become a perennial powerhouse at the double-A level, winning a pair of provincial titles including in 2012 to cap an unbeaten season.
His tireless work was recognized at the recent annual B.C. Lions Orange Helmet Awards where he was named Scholastic Coach of the Year. The honour caps a memorable five month stretch that began with the provincial championship and followed with being a member of the U18 Team B.C. coaching staff that went undefeated at the FBU International Games in Texas.
"I call it a hat trick," said Moon, who also collected an Orange Helmet Award for the Sun Devils championship win. "The biggest honour is knowing I was nominated by my fellow coaches.
It's flattering to be in the company of such past winners as (SFU head coach) Dave Johnson and (Mouat coach) Denis Kelly." The shorter commute to SDSS for practices and overseeing offseason training sessions hardly means Moon has lots of free time on his hands.
Life has become less hectic since he retired two years ago but running a high school football program is a 12-month commitment. Perhaps the Sun Devils unsung hero is Moon's wife Francine who not only fully supports her husband's volunteer work but is even in the stands for every game.
The coach admits the process each year does take its toll, especially during the dog days of the off-season in January and February. However, it also has become a way of life for him.
From the camaraderie he has with his assistant coaches to watching student-athletes develop into football players and young men. That's what brings him back each year. "You do realize how much football impacts their lives and the community we live in," said Moon. "I have former players come by to say hi who are now police officers or a fireman. They still call me coach which tells me the title means something."
End Zone... .Moon wasn't the only local coach honoured at the Orange Helmet Award. Jeff von Ende was also recognized for guiding the South Delta Rams to the Bantam provincial championship.
.Former Sun Devil standout Dylan Ainsworth was a major force in Sunday's 11th annual CIS East West Bowl prospects game.
The defensive lineman at Western University recorded four tackles, included a pair of quarterback sacks to help the West win 18-17.
