The Spartan offense started the first series with no running backs and all receivers. They proceeded downfield on several pass completions and quarterback draws. They completed the drive on a 15-yard touchdown scramble by quarterback Aaron DeLeon. A successful two-point conversation made it 8-0.

Anderson Dinh recovered the subsequent kickoff on a pooch kick by kicker Ricky Estrada, giving the SHS offense the ball back. SHS offense scored quickly again. They drove down the field on some key completions to Dinh and a touchdown pass on a fade route to Braxton Wakefield. SHS was then up 15-0.

Stratford defense, on their first chance on the field, gave up some hard-earned first downs, but not before stopping CCHS on a big sack by Cooper Kemp, forcing a 4th and long.

SHS offense had a quick start on their next drive on a 40-yard screen pass to Derrick McGee. A couple plays later, DeLeon placed a touch pass to Wakefield for a 25-yard TD. Before the fans could settle in, it was already 22-0. Not only did the SHS defense force a 3 and out on the next series,  but they shut down a fake punt attempt by CCHS.

SHS offense took the defense’s gift of another short field. They were almost stopped and faced a 4th and long. Coach went back to the screen pass to McGee, giving SHS a 40-yard TD, making it 29-0 at the beginning of the second quarter. CCHS’s next offensive possession was short after Blake Barry and Bo Harrison forced a fumble on the first play. Thanks to SHS’s defense and special teams, the SHS offense was making a habit of great starting field position. A pitch to McGee for a 20-yard TD made it 36-0.

Johnny Crawford led the defense on the next possession with a QB sack on the first play. The defense held them to a 3 and out. A fourth straight great starting field position allowed Braxton to receive another TD pass, making it 43-0.

CCHS’s offense had their first luck of the game, getting down the field on a handful of run and pass plays, making it 43-7 in the middle of the second quarter. SHS’s offense started the next drive on the ground until they found themselves with a 3rd and long. They then went back to the air on a couple 1st-down plays to Jack Stewart. A scrambling DeLeon found the end zone, making it 50-7. Christian Bell didn’t want CCHS to get used to the scoring, so he returned an interception for a 50-yard TD. CCHS’s offense then snuck a successful long drive in just before half for their second score,  making it 57-14.

CCHS’s offense made some progress on their first drive of the second half. However, the SHS defense held strong on a 4th and goal. No time was wasted by SHS offense after the SHS defensive stand. DeLeon tossed up a 90-yard TD pass to Luke Rives. Again, special teams came to play. Cooper Harrison recovered SHS’s second kickoff on the pooch kick by Estrada. Set up by Estrada’s kick, SHS’s offensive line facilitated several runs by James Millan for a short field goal, making it 67-14. CCHS’s offense ate up most of the 3rd quarter with a successful drive, making it 67-22 at the end of three quarters.

The 4th quarter consisted of SHS trying to control the clock to maintain the victory. The SHS defense did their part to close the game by staying stingy, including an interception by Eric Ferworn. The offensive line might be the story of the game. Not a single QB sack was allowed, and you saw them issuing impressive blocks at the line of scrimmage and downfield on SHS’s successful screen plays. Congrats to Armando Castor, Leo Herrera, Clayton Nonoff, Zachary Prudhomme, and Foard Polley on a heck of a game!!!!!

Final, 67-22

The next game will be vs. Northbrook at Tully Stadium on Friday, 10/6.