Spartans battle Mohawks for league title

Tyler Lowey
Times Reporter

 

The Strathmore High School Spartans avenged a 48-27 loss to the Crescent Heights High School Vikings and punched their ticket to the Rangeland Football Conference finals for the first time in school history.
The Spartans trailed by eight with 56 seconds remaining. All three facets of the game combined for season-saving plays to ice the Vikings 23-16.
“We never gave up, never gave in and never gave up hope,” said Spartans third year head coach Travis Gorksi. “These guys showed a lot of mental strength coming from behind like this.”
The Spartans trailed 14-8 and were forced to punt from the shadows of their own goal post. Senior quarterback and punter Isaac Wegner botched the snap. Covering the ball in the end zone, the Spartans conceded the safety and trailed 16-8.
Kicking off to the Vikings, the Spartans needed a momentum-changing defensive stop.
After a first down, the Vikings were forced to punt from their own 30-yard line. Aubrey Laveck and Riley Cox combined to block the punt for the Spartans.
Reinvigorated with optimism in the red zone, Wegner dialed up a 29-yard pass to Kevin Agboro.
“Kevin struggled with a few drops and ran some poor routes earlier in the game, but he came through in the clutch for us,” said Gorksi, as the Spartans were within sniffing distance of the end zone.
“We knew what to expect from them on defence. We knew that they like to blitz a lot, so we were ready to take advantage of that,” said Wegner.
“Isaac is one of my best friends and he played outstanding. He is very serious and a he has been a great leader for us this year,” said Spartans cornerback Misi Varga.
Still down two, the Spartans were forced to go for a two-point convert. Instead of running the ball, Wegner connected with Austin Wasut for the two-yard, two-point convert with 56 seconds remaining.
“Everyone on the sideline at that point was bracing for overtime,” said Gorski.
The Spartans went throughout the regular season and exhibition season without an interception returned for a touchdown.
“We watched a lot of video all week and picked up on their tendencies. We knew we had to be very vocal and I think it helped us out,” said Varga.
One quick knee in victory formation, and the Spartans not only clinched a spot in the finals, but also earned their way into provincials for the first time in school history.
“I can’t think of a better way to end my football career then heading to the championship and a trip to provincials,” said Varga.
The Spartans will face the number one seed, the Medicine Hat Mohawks Oct. 28 at the Methanex Bowl.
The provincial quarterfinals begin Nov. 4. It isn’t set in stone yet, but Gorksi believes they will face the top-ranked Cochrane High School Cobras.