Bad bounces sink Spartans

By Brady Grove, Times Reporter

Strathmore High School (SHS) Spartans fell to a 2-2 record on the road against the Drumheller Titans at on Sept. 29 in a lopsided loss (38-12).
Despite this, SHS Head Coach Travis Gorski says the score doesn’t tell the entire story because the Spartans were within a single touchdown of tying it up heading into the third quarter.
“It was 12-6 (Titans leading) at the start of the second half and we had just completed a 50-yard pass and we were knocking on the door to score. We actually fumbled the snap and were forced to punt and that’s sort of when the momentum shifted,” said Gorski
The very next play, the Titans made an 80-yard run which was the beginning of the end for the Spartans. The Titans would also add 14 points in the final minutes.
“The score was definitely not indicative of the game,” said Gorski.
Quarterback Noah Desjardins had a solid game according to the coach, throwing for about 250 yards and scoring two rushing touchdowns. Grade 10 wide receiver and outside linebacker Cooper Nelson was also singled out for catching a 50-yard bomb in the third quarter after making a big tackle right before.
“We had a lot of young kids step up have exceptional games,” said Gorski.
The Spartans have a balanced number of Grade 10, 11 and 12 students on the team.
According to Gorski, the team spent part of the Oct. 1 practice working on mental fortitude and cooperative tactics as they head into the final two games of the year.
They are searching for security and home field advantage in the playoff race, in which they are currently tied for second.
The Spartans will play their final road game of the season against Pincher Creek on Oct. 5 which Gorski said will be a good chance for his team to respond to the previous loss.
“We are hoping to get back into the win column before our last regular season contest and heading into playoffs,” said Gorski. “The thing is, we aren’t the biggest team; but the one thing that they can’t really take away from us is our heart and our willingness to win and do whatever it takes to win.”