If Marcus Davis isn’t on the radar of any NCAA schools by now, the radar is broken.
From the outset of Team B.C.’s 38-18 win over U.S.A.’s all-star team of high school players at the Football University International Games in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday, wide receiver and kick returner Marcus Davis of the Mount Douglas Rams and quarterback Liam O’Brien of the Ballenas Whalers (Parksville) were a dynamic duo that couldn’t be stopped. Davis started the game with a kickoff return to U.S.A’s 31 yard line. On the next play, Davis burned his initial coverage and then leapt over top of his secondary coverage to catch a pass from O’Brien on the goal line, and fell into the endzone for a touchdown.
Video highlights of the tournament are here, with Football B.C. photos here.
Davis was named MVP of the game, a heady title to go on his resumé next to his recent crowning achievement as the 2012 B.C. High School Football Player of the Year.
“From the start of the game we came out firing,” said the 17-year-old Davis, still in Grade 11.
“That just gave us all the momentum to carry us throughout the game. Nothing else can compare to this. Texas is where football is made.”
O’Brien rushed for three more touchdowns and handed off to running back Mason Swift (Mount Doug Rams) for an eight yard touchdown run as Team B.C. stunned U.S.A.
“The first three possessions all started inside the 50 I think. Coming out there that fast and quieting them down and taking the motivation out of them was huge.”
With the win, Team B.C. improved their record to two wins and no losses at the FBU International Games, having beaten Team Europe 49-14 on Thursday (Jan. 3).
The game wasn’t all peaches for Team B.C. as Davis received a mighty scare midway through the second quarter. He was nailed and stayed down on the field for several moments and missed a series of plays before he returned to the game.
“That was probably the hardest I’ve ever been hit in my life,” Davis said. “I knew I had to bounce back and show my toughness and get back out there with my teammates.”
"Davis was dynamic as ever being a threat to score every time he touched the football, whether it was catching the football or returning punts and kickoffs,” said Mark Townsend, coach of the 2011 and 2012 AAA B.C. champion Mount Douglas Rams.
Townsend attended the FBU as Team B.C.’s running backs coach and special teams co-ordinator.
“The scary thing is, Marcus is only in Grade 11. (He was) deservingly awarded the Player of the Game against Team U.S.A. and his already sky-high stock certainly rose higher in the eyes of those NCAA (and CIS) scouts in attendance,” Townsend added.
Swift, the powerful Rams running back in his Grade 12 year, also stood out for Team B.C.
He was the heart and soul of the Team B.C. squad, one of the few returning players from the 2011 roster, Townsend said.
“Swift’s trademark punishing running style was once again on display as he run through and over Team Europe and Team U.S.A. players alike, and certainly enhanced his prospects at the NCAA (and CIS) level with his brilliant performance.”
The Team U.S.A. that Davis and Swift were up against is an elite team of high school players, selected behind the top level of U.S.A. high-schoolers who played in the U.S. Army All-American Game and Under Armour High School All Star game.
It’s a very strong team, and it makes the victory for the Team B.C. players and coaches all the more satisfying and sweeter, Townsend said.
Also playing for Team B.C. from the Rams were wide receiver Brian Dowds, offensive linemen Christian Krause and Zach Wilkinson and quarterback Ashton MacKinnon. Representing the Belmont Bulldogs were offensive lineman Brodie Henderson and coach Alexis Sanschagrin as the defensive backs coach
sports@vicnews.com