Spartans big league experience

Times Editor  

 

It was a day to remember for a pair Strathmore Spartans football teams when they hit the field at McMahon Stadium Sept. 15.

The local peewee and bantam football teams enjoyed the big league experience in Week 2 of their respective seasons.

The peewee Spartans earned a 32-6 victory over Innisfail, prior to the bantam team destroying Innisfail 68-0 in second game.

“We had a game (day) breakfast as a team and they really had the jitters (and) if you ain’t got the jitters, you’re not ready for the game,” said peewee head coach Chuck Holloway. “The first play, they were a little tentative, (but) as the game went on, they relaxed. They got up pretty good (for this game) – this is actually the first time they ever beat Innisfail. They were looking forward to this game because they got embarrassed last year in the stadium, so they were up for this game.”

Behind a solid running game, the Spartans exposed weaknesses in their opposition and built a huge lead going into halftime. According to Holloway, the Spartans will use the same approach going into the remainder of the season. 

“Overall, I think we’re going to have a really good season,” said Holloway. “I feel that we have a lot of firepower on offence, but we make a lot of mistakes – we still have a lot of learning to do as well. 

“I want to win the provincial (championship) and graduate some of the guys to the bantam program.”

The Spartans, who improved to 2-0 on the season, will now host Sylvan Lake at 1 p.m. at the Strathmore High School football field on Sept. 22.

Meanwhile, the bantam team was firing on all cylinders against Innisfail in the second game. The Spartans built a big lead early and never looked back.

“The kids were excited to be there – for a lot of them, it was the first time ever (to have) experience of playing on the big field,” said bantam head coach Doug Klauck. “It was a big win – it was the first win in a couple of years (for the program) and it sort of got the monkey off of their back.”

According to Klauck, the team brought the proper intensity and they were more prepared mentally than they were in Week 1. 

He believes that the team has a huge desire to win and be successful, and that has translated on to the field

“They really want to win,” said Klauck. “Some of them moved up from the peewee ranks and they’ve had success. They’ve brought a positive energy to practice and the games.”

The bantam Spartans will look to improve on their 1-1 record when they travel to Red Deer on Sept. 22 to take on Hunting Hills.

Meanwhile, the Strathmore Spartans high school football team will look to pick up their first win of the season when they travel to Medicine Hat on Sept. 21.

The Spartans next home game is slated for Sept. 29, when they host McCoy at 2 p.m. at the high school football field.