Spartans clinch playoff position

Tyler Lowey
Times Reporter

 

After missing out of postseason play last season, the Strathmore High School Spartans punched their ticket into the Rangeland Football Conference semifinals with a 42-7 over the McCoy High School Colts Friday evening (Oct. 14) at Strathmore High School Field.
The Spartans entered Friday’s game in a three-way tie for third place. The win solidified their playoff spot. It is the second time in three years that head coach Travis Gorski is playoff bound. His first trip was as the fourth seed two years ago.
“It felt good to clinch at home. Our guys worked extremely hard and we kept pushing every day. It was a great effort,” said Gorksi.
The Spartans senior quarterback Isaac Wegner took over from the opening kickoff with a Mike Vick-like performance on the ground.
It was third down with three yards to go, Wegner rolled out to the left like he so often does, scanned down the field and nothing was open. He tucked the ball, broke a few tackles and was gone 52 yards to the house.
In the second quarter, he rolled out to the left once again and burned past a series of Colt defenders once he reached the sideline. This time, it was an 86-yard touchdown scamper.
“I always look to pass first, but I’ll quickly tuck the ball and run if I’m not confident and I don’t think anyone is open,” said Wegner, who finished with 157 rushing yards while going 8-for-18 in the air with one passing touchdown.
“In our past four games we had four slow starts,” said Gorski. “The message was the same all week; have good, up-tempo practices, play to your level and do your job.”
Leading 14-0 in the second quarter, the Spartans iced the game after the Colts botched back-to-back punts deep in their own zone, giving the Spartans great field position.
The defensive line also played outstanding at stopping the run. Fellow senior Garrett Gatto was the hammer on the d-line, driving into the pocket and leading the charge to shut down the ground game.
Up next for the Spartans in the semis is a rematch with the Crescent Heights High School Vikings on Oct. 21 in Medicine Hat.
The Spartans trailed 28-0 at half Oct. 6 against the Vikings, but played a much stronger second half, losing 47-28.
“This will be a nice revenge game for us,” said Gorksi. “We have a few new plays and wrinkles we can throw into the system that we have been saving for playoffs.”
The Medicine Hat High School Mohawks finished as the No. 1 seed and await the winner of the Brooks Buffalos and Colts Oct. 18 game.
“I think it is an advantage for us not seeing the No. 1 seed right away,” said Wegner, who was a receiver during the Spartans previous playoff run.
League finals are slated for Friday, Oct. 28. A semifinal win by the Spartans boosts them into provincials, which start Friday, Nov. 3.