JV Green was back on the road again this week to face a talented Tomball team. The Spartans were short-handed for this matchup, missing two of their top WR targets, as well as two starters in the secondary. The Cougars up-tempo style had the Spartan defense on their heels, and their efficient spread offense scored on their opening drive to grab a 7-0 lead. Stratford would respond on the following possession as QB Will McCarroll would find WR Jake Weinhardt in the end zone on a critical 4th and goal to tie the game 7-7.

The Spartan defense would bend but not break on Tomball’s next drive, as DE Beck Harger brought the QB pressure and would force an incompletion on third and long. Tomball would settle for a FG and a 10-7 lead. Stratford would be forced to punt on their next possession, but the Cougars fumbled the return and LB Jax Blundell pounced on the ball to give the Spartans some momentum. With time winding down in the first half, the offense would need to strike quickly. Will McCarroll found Jake Weinhardt for back-to-back big plays in the passing game, as he slipped behind the defense and gave the Spartans a 14-10 lead. Weinhardt could do no wrong in the first half as he scored two TDs, handled all of the kicking duties, and added a couple of tackles on defense as well. Unfortunately, there was still time left on the clock, and Tomball would take advantage with two huge passing plays to add a touchdown as time expired to take a 17-14 halftime lead.

The Cougars would keep the momentum in the second half as they would get a quick stop on defense and methodically drive down the field to go up 24-14. The Spartans would answer with an impressive drive of their own as RBs Davis Kendall and Corbin Morris both gained some tough rushing yards. McCarroll found Morris on a wheel route to convert a huge fourth down in Cougar territory. Davis Kendall would score on the next play to make it a close ball game, 24-20.

The Spartan defense adjusted in the second half and dialed up some blitzes and stunts to blow up the backfield. The linebacker crew of Sam Salas, Dylan Ward, and Jax Blundell began to create havoc behind the line of scrimmage, and defensive ends Jackson Holz and Matthew Bednar added several tackles for loss to give the ball back to the Stratford offense with time running out. Unfortunately, the Tomball defense would get a stop and prevail 24-20 in a highly competitive and entertaining game.

The Spartans’ JV Teams look forward to District play next Wednesday at home vs. Cy Fair.