By Brad Greer

While most jamborees are chock full of mental mistakes and poor execution, North Delta looked far from the normal as they hosted the District 1-AA jamboree Thursday at Green Wave Field.

North Delta controlled both 20-minute scrimmages by blanking Kirk 13-0 followed by a 0-0 tie against Winona with the contest ending  on the Stars 10 yard-line after an interception stalled the drive.

“What I am most pleased about is the things we are trying to coach these guys to do—they are doing the best to get it done. I keep telling them that we are inexperienced, but they need to keep listening to what the coaches are teaching them and take it to the field,“ said North Delta head coach Brandon Ciaramitaro.

North Delta-13 Kirk-0 

Kirk took the opening possession and embarked on a 11-play drive before turning the ball over at the Green Wave 36 yard line.  From there the North Delta offense got moving as Bailey Sullivant zig-zagged his way for a 14 yard gain to the Raider 43.

Following a bad snap from center two plays later, North Delta faced a fourth-and-20 on the Kirk 47. Quarterback Hays Hudson lofted a 25-yard pass to Michael Prine that kept the drive alive. Four plays later, Hudson scrambled his way 29 yards on a third-and-11 call into the endzone for a Green Wave touchdown and 6-0 lead as Hudson Parnell’s extra point sailed wide left.

The Green Wave defense got into the action on Kirk’s following series as Wilson Morrow pounced on a fumble at the Raider 20 yard line. 

Sullivant busted a 19-yard run on the first play from scrimmage to set up a first-and-goal from the one. 

A false start penalty did not deter the North Delta drive as Hudson connected with Macen Magee on a six-yard pass reception with Parnell tacking on the point after attempt. 

Kirk’s last possession gained four yards as time ended with Kirk on its own 34.

North Delta outgained the Raiders 94-38 in total yardage while holding Kirk to five yards rushing. 

Sullivant led the ground game with three carries for 36 yards while Hudson chipped in with 23 yards on three totes.

Hudson completed three-of-five passing for 35 yards and a touchdown. Prine, Magee and Ethan Calvert hauled in one reception each.

Morrow led the Green Wave defensive unit with three tackles followed by Jonathan Wilks and Hudson with two stops each. 

Lake Dubois accounted for a forced fumble with Will Kidder and Prine garnering a solo tackle.

 Winona-0 North Delta-0

 Neither team could find the end zone in two series for both teams. Winona’s first possession ended in a punt while the Wave turned the ball over on downs at the Stars 34 on their initial series.

Just as it did against Kirk, North Delta’s defense snuffed out a drive as safety Raheem Hawkins picked off a Winona pass on the Green Wave 35. Two carries of 14 and 13 yards by Hawkins moved the ball to the Stars 38, but  the drive stalled as Logan Rawson picked off a pass on Winona’s own 10-yard line.

North Delta held a slim 60-51 lead in total offense as Hawkins gained 27 yards on two carries. Hudson followed with two carries for six yards and two-for-five in the air for 26 yards. 

Magee added one catch for 18 yards while Bailey Ross contributed with one reception for eight yards.

Hunter Baker registered two tackles with Calvert, Hawkins and Sullivant adding one stop.

“I saw a lot of good things tonight. I cannot say enough about one of my seniors captains, Bailey Sullivant, and his passion for this game. He is the epitome of North Delta football and what we stand for. He had a good game tonight and his leadership along with his work ethic give him the opportunity to have a good night tonight,” said Ciaramitaro.

The third-year head coach also singled out Magee and Hudson for their solid effort. 

“I could go on and on because there were so many positive plays, but ‘Pez’ (Magee) had a good touchdown reception. He has came in here and picked up things and has taken a leadership role in the short time he has been here. He told us the other day he has had more fun this summer playing football than he has did in baseball. That what  I like to hear,” said Ciaramitaro.

“Hays had a heck of a night both rushing and passing the ball. He is going to be our go-to guy and we are going to put the ball in his hands when we need the yards.”

North Delta opens the season on the road Friday against Pillow Academy in Greenwood Friday night at 7 p.m.