The 2023 Varsity football season opened with a loss to its non-conference opponent, Tomball HS 28-48. Despite the setback, this young, talented Stratford team remains undeterred and optimistic.

The first half for the Spartans was a great back-and-forth battle that featured an incredible, one-handed TD (14) in the corner of the end zone by senior Braxton Wakefield. Junior QB Aaron DeLeon (23-40 258 yds 4TDs) also found some yards on the ground (67) against a tough defense with the help of senior RB Derrick McGee (49).

In the second half, DeLeon was able to put the ball into the hands of playmaker Luke Rives, who caught a swing pass for a TD (13) in the 3rd quarter and two more TDs (63, 34) in the 4th on a broken play/scramble down the sideline and a slant up the middle.

Defensively, Parker Johnson (Jr) led the defense with 12 tackles, Bo Harrison (Sr) had 11 tackles, followed by Johnny Crawford (Sr) and Cooper Harrison (Sr), who both had 10 tackles. Samuel Ezezue (Jr) broke up a pass that led to an interception by Johnny Crawford.

The Spartans' next game is Friday at 7:00 pm versus Oak Ridge -- it is an away game.