It was not just beating the top ranked team in the province but the way the South Delta Sun Devils went about it.

Nobody has questioned the Sun Devils’ ability to produce points the past couple of seasons. It was stopping their opponent that was getting in the way of contending for another provincial title.

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Not anymore.

Coming off back-to-back shutout performances, South Delta held Vancouver College to just a field goal over the final two quarters in a 38-23 victory on Saturday at Dennison Park to open Western AAA Conference play.

It was certainly shaping up as another high-scoring affair between the arch rivals after the Fighting Irish had roared back from 18-7 deficit to take a 20-18 lead at the half. However, they would not see the end zone again thanks to some huge defensive plays, punctuated with Adam Hoegg'’s strip sack that resulted in a 15-yard fumble recovery touchdown from Ethan Troniak to seal the victory.

Two years ago, the Sun Devils saw their season end in a 52-45 playoff loss to New West. Last November, it was a 48-12 defeat to Vancouver College after starting quarterback Ben McDonald was injured in the first half. Now monster offensive performances may not be required for a deep playoff run thanks to a much-improved defence.

“It’s not that we are doing anything different, it’s the players we have to work with,” said head coach Ray Moon.

A significant development for the program was three members of the school’s dominant rugby team — David Begin, Cameron De Rek and Ryan Choi — deciding they wanted to play football in their Grade 12 year. Suddenly, the Sun Devils have enough depth up front to require very little in the way of two-way play from their defensive and offensive lines.

“It’s like the football gods were smiling on us,” laughed Moon. “We have always had the speed guys with that Grade 12 group. Now they are being complimented with the talent we have up front. Keeping everyone fresh on both lines is huge.”

The Irish caught the Devils off guard on the game’s opening play when quarterback Alex Nyvlt found Jason Soriano behind coverage for an 80-yard touchdown. South Delta responded on passing majors from McDonald to Evan Paterson and Rhys Porteous from 35 and 22 yards out respectively.

The Irish had swung the momentum by shutting down the Sun Devils on four straight offensive series that included a McDonald interception. They were a play away from making it five to start the third quarter when Troniak turned a five-yard reception into a huge gain. A few plays later, Paterson was in the end zone again and the hosts would never look back.

He added a third when a skirmish after a punt resulted in a whopping 45-yards worth of penalties to the Irish. McDonald hit him from 14-yards out on the very next play to close out the third quarter.

Stoilen and Patterson each had 10 tackles. Defensive tackle Skylar Welch added eight.