The Freshman White Team (4-2, 2-0) traveled out of District this week to take on Aldine Westfield Mustangs. The Spartans fought hard to overcome some mistakes and frustrating officiating but fell short in a 16-14 loss.

Stratford opened the game by kicking off to the Mustangs. Despite a couple of first downs by Westfield, the Stratford defense held strong. Benton Byrd (#86) provided a sack, followed by consecutive nice tackles by Joey Mundwiller (#34). Wyatt Throckmorton (#85), then had a tackle for loss on the Mustang running back that eventually set up a 4th and long for the home team. A coverage sack by the entire Spartan defensive line turned the ball over to the offense. The Spartans quickly moved the ball with consecutive first down runs by Andy Navarro (#3). Unfortunately, a beautiful pass to Mundwiller (#34) resulted in a fumble, returning the ball back to  Westfield. A quick first quarter ended at a 0-0 score.

The second quarter proved to be a back-and-forth contest. The defense setup a 3rd and long when Nate Edwards (#65) and Will Hibbetts (#54) combined on a sack of the Mustang QB. The Mustangs drew up a double pass, and the receiver threw a long ball down the far sideline to a streaking receiver. The Spartan defense did a good job of holding the play out of the end zone. The Spartans then forced another 3rd and long when Edwards (#65) made another tackle for loss on the QB. However, on the next play, the Mustangs scored the first points of the game when a receiver fielded a pass across the middle and outran the defense to the goal line. The try after was run in by the QB and the Mustangs led 8-0. Nick Riopelle (#49) received the kickoff for Stratford and carried several defenders to the 32 for a nice return. A quick pass to Teagan Tedrow (#20) and a run up the middle by John Hearne (#15) setup 3rd and long. Navarro’s (#3) pass on 3rd down fell incomplete,  forcing a punt. A short punt set up Westfield at the Spartan 42 yard line. Despite the good field position, the defense stopped the Mustang offense. Mohammad Diaa (#64) hammered a receiver for no gain on the pass. The defensive line met at the QB again for another sack. Finally, Edwards (#65) with a sack on 4th down gave the ball back to the Spartan offense. Several offsides penalties against the Westfield defense combined with a tough run by Riopelle (#49) set up a critical 4th down from the Mustang 31 yard line. A mishap on offense led to some confusion, and the play ended with a turnover back to Westfield. With time running out, Edwards (#65) sacked the Mustang QB, and the half came to an end.

Throckmorton (#85) recovered a short second-half kick to setup nice field position at the Spartan 37 yard line. Navarro (#3) took the first snap and ran near-side for a quick 15 yard gain that was led by Riopelle (#49) and a punishing block. Another first-down run by Navarro (#3) had the Spartans on the Mustang side of the field. Navarro (#3) took the next snap and lofted a deep pass that ended in an interception for the Mustangs at their own 9 yard line. The Spartans' defense forced a quick punt. Richmond So (#28) entered the game at QB. Hearne (#15) converted a first down on back-to-back hard nose runs. The offense sputtered on the next few plays setting up a 4th and 13 as time expired in the 3rd quarter.

The 4th quarter started with a critical 4th down for Stratford. A great play call for an inside WR screen was successful but a fumble recovered by Westfield killed the drive. Westfield started moving the ball despite nice tackles by Evan Candler (#24) and Noel Rodriguez (#40). A case of déjà vu, and Westfield scored on the same pass-play across the middle. The Mustangs converted the two-point try and led 16-0 with 5:40 remaining in the game. With time running out, the offense took possession. Navarro (#3) took the snap and raced down the near sideline for a 60 yard score. The Spartans converted the two-point try and now trailed 16-8. The Spartan sideline exploded when a subsequent onside kick was recovered by Stratford. Unfortunately, a penalty negated the play and Westfield maintained possession. A tackle for loss by Jackson Berg (#88) and a false start set up a 3rd and 18 for the Mustangs. The 3rd-down pass was intercepted by Mundwiller (#34) and provided life back to the Spartans. Navarro (#3) quickly found Jamiel Wright (#83) for a long pass play down to the one yard line. Navarro (#3) then found Thomas Turner (#74) open in the end zone for another score. Down 16-14, the Spartans were forced to go for two. Despite a valiant effort by the team, Navarro (#3) was tackled just short and the score remained 16-14. Another onside kick attempt was recovered by Westfield. A first-down run by the Mustangs and a running clock proved too much to overcome, ending the game at 16-14. Stratford displayed a lot of heart in their second loss of the season.