Spartans continue to improve as playoffs approach

By Brad Everett Times Contributor

The Strathmore Spartans high school football team’s 32-8 loss to the Lindsay Thurber Raiders from Red Deer last Friday leaves the local team with a record of 2-3 as the season starts to wind down.
The Raiders were dominant in the first half. A 75-yard touchdown run, followed by a pick six in the last seconds of the first quarter set the tone as the Raiders then finished off the first half with another touchdown and field goal to take a 24-0 lead.
Things turned around for the Spartans when the second half opened.
“In the second half we subbed in our JVs, and our Grade 10 quarterback led the offence down the field and scored on a two-yard quarterback sneak. Running back Sebastein Stroud then made the two-point conversion,” said Spartans head coach Travis Gorski. “Stroud had an exceptional game and showed great vision and speed running the ball. He was the sparkplug that ignited our offence in the second half.
“Overall, the game against Lindsay Thurber was a great experience as we were able to get our entire roster significant playing time,” added Gorski.
This week, the Spartans will be shrinking the playing roster as they return to league play against Holy Trinity Academy from Okotoks.
Gorski and the Spartans were expecting a challenging season as there were only 10 returning players from the previous season.
“On a roster of 43 that is an extremely large turnover. Most of the new recruits are in Grade 10 so we knew that we would be young, and with a challenging schedule we would be in tough each and every week,” said Gorski.
“We started our season slow, losing the first two games to Foothills Composite High from Okotoks and Fort McMurray, but then came into our game on Friday on a two-game winning streak after defeating Canmore and Rundle College.”
Gorski is pleased with the strong line play of Jack Warrack, Bennett Salmon and Marcus Molina who were starting from day one.
“Our linebackers, Cooper Nelson, Noah Agboro and Malikia Henry are the lifeblood of our defence which has carried the team thus far and has taken control of the game at times,” said Gorski.
“We have struggled at times to move the ball this season, only scoring five touchdowns in six games. But our defence has made a huge difference, often creating turnovers and giving our offence a short field to work with.”
Being young in some key positions, struggles are expected, but as the season has progressed the team is gaining confidence and overcoming some of those offensive challenges.
The Spartans have one more league game on Oct. 10 against Holy Trinity Academy from Okotoks, before playoffs start.
“We will make the playoffs most likely in the third spot and have an opportunity to avenge our opening day loss to the Foothills Composite Falcons,” said Gorski.