High school football: Rabbits expect to contend

DELTA — At a recent team meeting, Delta football coach Russ Henrie asked Wes Murdock, his leading tackler from a year ago, to stand up in front of the entire team.

With Murdock admittedly feeling a bit uncomfortable about being the center of attention, Henrie said, "you can't draw a better picture of my idea of a Delta football player. The kid is courteous, he's respectful, he gets great grades."

Henrie said he'd love to have 10 more players just like his starting middle linebacker.

"He's the type of kid that will open the door for you, and then he puts a helmet on he'll take your head off," said Henrie. "He's not a trash talker. He just loves the game and plays it with all of his heart."

Murdock's one of the main reasons big things are expected out of Delta this year. He was a starting sophomore two years ago when Delta advanced to the 3A semifinals before losing to Snow Canyon. A year ago he was on the field during the Rabbits' late-game collapse against eventual state champion Logan.

Those experiences, along with some unique life experiences off the field, have groomed Murdock into what Delta's coach says everyone should aspire to be like.

Last summer, he and members of his Grace Baptist Church did humanitarian work in Mexico constructing buildings out of clay for several poverty-stricken villages in the mountains. Murdock said it was very much an eye-opening experience.

A completely different experience, an obvious error in judgement, opened Murdock's eyes to another part of life.

Last year a cop came out to practice and informed coach Henrie that he needed to speak to Murdock. Henrie said he must be mistaken, what kind of trouble could Murdock possibly have gotten into?

It turns out that Murdock backed his car into a parked car at a local store, but fled the scene without providing his insurance info. Murdock admits that he panicked and drove off after getting out and inspecting the damage.

Someone obviously saw the incident and informed the cops, who quickly tracked down Murdock at practice.

"I messed up, and ended up doing some community service," said Murdock. "I learned my lesson. If you back into a car you put your name and insurance on the windshield and get that taken care of."