A month after winning one football-championship, a trio from the South Delta Sun Devils are celebrating another, this time in Texas.
Receiver David Mann, defensive back Denis Olivera and head coach Ray Moon helped Team B.C. go undefeated at the inaugural FBU International Games in San Antonio, including an impressive 38-18 victory Saturday over the favoured United States. B.C. had opened the tournament with a 49-14 win over Europe two days earlier, while the Americans played just the one game.
Mann was credited with a pair of receptions against the US, including a 28-yard gain that set-up a major score. Olivera had a strong tournament in the secondary, making several knockdowns. This was Moon's third straight year as a member of the B.C. coaching staff, working as a defensive line assistant.
The team featured top high school age talent from around the province, including six members from the provincial 'AAA' champion Mt. Doug Rams. Still, they weren't considered much of a threat to an American opponent that featured older players and talent from several states, including Louisiana, Texas, California and Maryland.
The hosts were in for a rude awakening as B.C. jumped to an early 21-0 lead and took a 31-7 advantage into halftime, scoring on all five of its possessions.
Meanwhile, the defence was terrific, surrendering just a single touchdown in each game.
The Americans salvaged some pride with a late major on a punt return when the outcome was no longer in doubt.
"They weren't very happy," chuckled Moon. "They only showed up with 31 players and you just got the feeling they thought it was going to be easy. If anything the score was not indicative of just how lopsided the game was."
Mann and Olivera are both in Grade 12 and considered solid university prospects. Mann, who was voted the Most Outstanding Player of the Sun Devils provincial final win over Mission, has five schools lined up for his services.
