Norris signs to play QB at Montana Tech
—Photo by ERIC PLUMMER Pictured front row, from left to right, are Terri Norris, Davan Norris and Dustin Norris. Back row: Satini Puailoa, quarterbacks coach Ray Miller and athletic director Kris Knowles.
SANDPOINT — Since he was a young kid the thought of playing quarterback in college was always a goal, and after an All-State season at Sandpoint he'll get the chance next season, as Davan Norris signed recently to play football for Montana Tech in Butte, Montana.
Norris, who is 6-foot-3, 190 pounds and a great natural thrower of the football, received both athletic and academic scholarships to play for the Frontier Conference school. A great feeling after meeting the coaches, along with the chance to keep playing with teammate Paul Sundquist, were the keys to Norris choosing Tech.
“The coaches were genuine and professional. Having a teammate go there was definitely a factor too,” said Norris, who has many of the measurables coaches love and will get a chance to show them at the next level. “Big dream of mine as a young kid to play football in college. It's like a dream come true.”
Norris, who broke a handful of SHS passing records this season after completing 155 of 262 attempts for 2,698 yards to go with 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions, enjoys the leadership aspect of the demanding position, admitting he prefers to lead by example.
Outgoing Sandpoint football coach Satini Puailoa gave Norris the freedom to audible at the line of scrimmage, and called plays utilizing his strong and accurate arm. Puailoa believes he'll compete right away for playing time.
“When he shows up and starts competing, whoever is there, he's going to challenge right away. I thought he was one of the best quarterbacks in the Northwest,” praised Puailoa. “Great feel for the game, not just in making all the throws, but understanding defenses. He has all those intangibles, and is really smart on his feet.”
Norris recently drained seven 3-pointers in the state All-Star basketball game, a feat he's accomplished in several other games before, and the notion of playing basketball in college is also in the back of his mind.
After leading the Bulldogs to the state title game in the Kibbie Dome last fall, at least one coach wasn't surprised in the least bit. Quarterbacks coach Ray Miller knew the first time he saw Norris spin the ball two years ago in practice that he was a special quarterback.
“I wish I could clone him,” said Miller. “When he first started out, I started drooling. I knew this guy would take us a long way.”