Bantam Spartans win
Aryssah Stankevitsch
Times Reporter
Improving to a perfect 5-0 on the season, the bantam Spartans football team took the Rockyview Rage in Cochrane on Oct. 5, by a score of 72-0. The Spartans have no more games before the playoffs begin at home. They received a forfeit win against Olds this week, as that team folded.
“I think they’re ready now. They’ve come a long way since the beginning of the season. We’ve had a little bit of ups and downs along the way,” said bantam coach Doug Klauck.
Klauck recognized his team’s defense for their success, a defense that scored four touchdowns against the Rage this weekend. Nose tackle Garrett Gatto alone had two fumble recoveries that he ran back for touchdowns.
“It’s been our defensive play, it’s been really strong,” he said. “We’ve had four shutouts this season. The last three games have been really tight where the defense has kept us in the game. It’s been a difference, allowing the offense to struggle a little bit but still be able to win.”
Peewees continue winning streak
The Strathmore Spartans peewee team continued their winning streak, taking the Red Deer Steelers the same day by a score of 40-12. They’ve only lost once, against Lacombe, in five games this season.
“They did awesome,” said peewee coach Chuck Holloway. “We ran and passed well. Everything’s actually coming together pretty good.”
Holloway congratulated running back Nathan Cayouette and receiver Reid Jensen on their play. The Red Deer Steelers lacked execution against Strathmore, which ultimately led to their downfall.
“As far as their running game, we pretty much dominated them on the offensive line. Our defensive line was a lot stronger. They just couldn’t get anything to go,” Holloway said.
The peewee Spartans are currently second in league standings, and are likely to play Sylvan Lake or one of Red Deer’s teams in the playoff’s first round. They travel to Drumheller on Oct. 10 for an exhibition matchup, and return to play Olds at home on Oct. 19.
Strathmore High Spartans struggle
The Strathmore High School (SHS) Spartans struggled in their last home game on Oct. 5.
“If they don’t do their assignments, guess what, stuff doesn’t happen,” Spartans coach Carl Seafoot said after another disappointing loss for the Spartans. The team dropped to Medicine Hat’s Crescent Heights High School 69-0.
“Not that I like the score, but I somewhat expected it, just the way the season’s been going. These guys have been perennially up there in the league, so they played pretty good,” Seafoot said. “The execution is still hurting us, it’s not like the guys don’t have the talent.”
Three Spartans went down in the game with injuries.
“We were just trying to get through the game for most of it. Nothing special, we were short on bodies at the start, and we were even shorter at the end,” Seafoot said.
The team travelled to Chestermere for an exhibition match on Oct. 8 (result not available as of press time), and another on Oct. 15 in Drumheller.
“Hopefully they’ll bounce back for Tuesday’s game,” Seafoot said.
Still winless through five games, the SHS Spartans have scored 16 points in total, while allowing 296 against.