It's a potential provincial high school girls soccer final that would provide a few challenges for Stephen Burns.
The longtime coach of the highly successful South Delta Sun Devils has his team rolling again. The No. 2 ranked Tsawwassen school will head into next week's Fraser Valley Championships as one of the favourites.
The unique twist for Burns this season is he is also in charge of his hometown McMath Wildcats. The Steveston school is ranked No. 1 in the province with a perfect record in city play. The playoffs are up next.
So what would happen if the teams meet at the provincials later this month in Vancouver? "I would be sitting right in the middle of the field," smiled the longtime South Delta teacher. "I would just enjoy the game and watch both of them go."
The reason for Burns' double duty is simple.
His daughter Ali is in Grade 10 at McMath and the school is always looking for volunteer coaches. Burns also happens to guide her club Silver level team in Richmond and his popularity was evident in last week's 2-1 win over McNair that featured players he coaches on both teams.
For the endless hours the
former national team player has poured into coaching for well over two decades, the unique opportunity to be part of his daughter's high school soccer experience only happens once.
"With my daughter coming through, I approached (McMath athletic director) Rod (Jensen) a couple of years ago about doing this," said Burns. "I know it's kind of been a juggling act with getting coaches for all the teams and it would be nice for them to have some stability for the next three years. Now we will see what we can do with it."
The Wildcats feature plenty of B.C. Premier (HPL) and Metro level players who are soccer first athletes. Injuries have been a problem of late with four starters sidelined last week. Should this team by healthy and at the top of its game, Burns says the potential is there to win it all.
"I didn't really know how good this team was," he said. "It's a matter of putting it all together. They have all the pieces and the core of this team is very strong.
"At the same time, it's such a fine line in the playoffs. With Van Tech hosting provincials, only two teams will advance.
Point Grey and Kitsilano are both good. Churchill made provincials last year and Lord Byng is going to be tough too."
His Sun Devils are a mix of experience of youth a veteran backline and a trio of fleet footed Grade 10 forwards - Olivia Sheppard and twins Mia and Ava Simpson.
"South Delta is probably the
fastest team I have seen this year," continued Burns. "They have a different type of mix and play a different style compared to McMath. I would say it's not as attractive soccer but there is no answer to speed."
The juggling act has worked to this point with South Delta's league games on Monday and Wednesdays and the Wildcats typically playing Tuesday and Thursdays. Burns' biggest challenge has been getting through the Massey tunnel on McMath game days. "I'm leaving Tsawwassen when the bell goes and basically getting there at kickoff."
The schedule will get trickier in the postseason when the teams play on consecutive days.
The Sun Devils should be one of the Valley tournament's top seeds and potentially could be playing as far away as Chilliwack. Burns will be leaning on his longtime South Delta assistant Brent Sweeney when he is unavailable, while he is getting the help of a couple of Grade 12 students at McMath.
"So far it hasn't been much of an issue but it might be when the Valley playoffs start," he said. "I will have to figure it out."
