Spartans handed loss in home opener
Mario Prusina
Times Editor
The Strathmore Spartans high school football team started the season off on the wrong foot with a 34-0 home loss to Drumheller Sept. 11.
Despite the tough loss, head coach Carl Seafoot was optimistic the team can rebound and gain valuable experience for the future.
Even though the offence did not collect any points, there are things to build on.
“We did have some positive things, but (we) just couldn’t seem to carry on or complete a drive,” said Seafoot in an e-mail to the Times. “Mental miscues and errant flows negated the running game. The passing game had some ‘hands’ and receiver problems. The good thing is that we did move the ball.
“The rest can be fixed.”
Meanwhile, the defence was solid in the season opener.
“(We had) a good effort from the (defence),” added the coach. “We had a couple of breakdowns in coverage and attempted (some) high tackles. We had some good stops.”
The Spartans are back in action this weekend, when they host Rundle on Sept. 18 (1 p.m.).
Bantam team loses heartbreaker
The Strathmore Spartans Bantam football team made significant improvement in week two of their season.
Unfortunately it was not enough to get a win, as the Spartans lost 16-14 in Springbank Sept. 11.
After trailing 13-0, the Spartans stepped up their game in the second half and impressed head coach Rob Musselman in the process.
“In the second half we pulled up our socks and didn’t allow a first down the entire second half on defense,” said the coach in an e-mail to the Times.
The offence came alive in the second half, as Brandon Labonte scored a 35-yard touchdown on the first play from the line of scrimmage. The Spartans took a 14-13 lead late in the half, but Springbank nailed a 35-yard field goal to win the game.
“The boys should hold their heads high,” said the coach. “They showed themselves (that) they can play this game at a high level and need to play the whole game.
“We look forward to playing this weekend.”
The bantam team will now travel to Drumheller on Sept. 18, before returning home on Sept. 25 to host Wetaskiwin (3 p.m.).
Peewee Spartans show character
The Strathmore Spartans Peewee football team showed their ‘no quit’ attitude in a 36-12 home loss to the Red Deer Steelers Sept. 11.
According to head coach Doug Klauck, it was the first time many of his players ever participated in an organized football game.
“The game went well – it was the first game for a lot of my players and they held their own,” said Klauck. “It was a good learning experience for a lot of them.
“The game situations are similar to practices about getting hit and things like that – there is a little more trust and a little less fear.”
According to Klauck, the Spartans were very resilient versus an upper-echelon team.
“They didn’t quit,” said the coach of his team. “We were playing against the defending provincial champions and even when we got down in the second half, (we) never quit.”
The Peewee squad will now travel to Wetaskiwin on Sept. 18, before returning home to host Sylvan Lake on Sept. 25 at noon.