The Stratford Freshman White Team (5-4, 3-1) kicked off rivalry week against the Memorial Mustangs.

The Spartans won the toss and elected to decline, providing the first possession to Memorial. The opening drive quickly stalled for the Mustangs as a holding call and tip passed by Nick Riopellle (#49) foiled a screen pass, forcing a quick punt. Joey Mundwiller (#34) took the punt down to the Memorial 20-yard line, setting up the Spartans for their first drive. The offense took advantage of the great field position as Andy Navarro (#3) lobbed a fade pass to Jamiel Wright (#83), who came down with a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. (Spartans lead 6-0) Memorial’s next drive did not go well. Mundwiller (#34) and Thomas Turner (#74) combined for a nice tackle on the ball carrier along with a couple team tackles on consecutive run-plays to force another Memorial punting situation. The low snap to the Mustang punter forced the punter to stop the ball with a knee down, which resulted in a turnover back to the Spartans at the Memorial 38-yard line. Consecutive bad snaps put the Spartans in third and long. Navarro (#3) took a keeper and gained a significant number of yards, setting up a 4th down play ending the first quarter.

The second quarter opened with Stratford converting a 4th down as Navarro (#3) passed to Mundwiller (#34) on a seam pass down to the 18-yard line. Another keeper by Navarro (#3) placed the ball at the 10-yard line. The following give to John Hearne (#15) resulted in another TD as he dragged several tacklers in for the score. (Spartans lead 12-0) The impressive defense continued as Memorial had to punt again on their next possession. On first down, Hearne (#15) took the handoff and ran down to the Memorial 38. Hearne (#15) followed the highlight play with a swing pass for 8 yards and then a run up the middle for the first down. Navarro (#3) pulled the next zone-read play and outran the Memorial defense for the touchdown. The two-point play was converted as Ryder Jones (#48) worked his way open, allowing Navarro (#3) to find him for the conversion. The Spartans extended the lead 20-0 with 3:31 remaining in the half. The Mustang offensive output continued struggling. Riopelle (#49) with a solo tackle on the running back set up 4th and four for the Mustangs. They converted to set up a first down, but time expired ending the second quarter.

The Spartans received the second half kick, which was returned by Riopelle (#49). A swing pass to Hearne (#15), with great lead blocking provided by Jones (#48), set up a promising drive. However, a false start combined with a couple of short runs turned the ball over to Memorial. A jet sweep by the Mustangs was quickly diagnosed by Cormac Steranko (#81), providing the stop on the quick receiver. The Mustangs finally broke through the strong Spartan defense when the running back took the ball down the far sideline and eventually chased down by Mundwiller (#34) at the 10-yard line. Memorial tried a bootleg pass into the end zone, but Evan Candler (#24) was there to bat away the pass. Memorial was unable to convert on fourth down and Stratford took possession. Hearne (#15) and Riopelle (#49) provided back-to-back tough runs, but a large loss on a bad snap was too much, forcing a Spartan punt. Ryan Griffith (#19) booted the punt to the Spartan 36 yard-line. Luke Schifano (#18) made a nice play, tackling the Memorial running back on a swing pass that ended the 3rd quarter.

The Mustangs started the fourth quarter moving the ball. Brayden Botary (#33) had to chase down the Memorial player and push him out at the 21-yard line. Defensive pass interference on the next play set up Memorial at the 9-yard line. The Spartan defense stood up again, led by a great solo tackle by Noel Rodriguez (#40). The Mustangs, facing fourth down, could not convert a pass and Stratford took over after another goal-line stand from the defense. Richmond So (#28) entered the game at QB for Stratford to try and move the ball out from deep in their own territory. The offense moved the ball enough to provide Griffith (#19) some room to punt back to the Mustangs. Memorial took over at the Stratford 42-yard line. Rodriguez (#40) and Braden Early (#67) tackled the running back for a short gain. On the next play, the Memorial QB located an open receiver racing down the middle of the field for their first score of the game. The extra point was no good. (Stratford leads 20-6) Memorial attempted an onside kick, but Nick Massad (#35) was there to field the bouncing ball for the Spartans. Memorial forced a quick three-and-out, forcing another punt by the Spartans. Like it did all game, the defense stepped up again. Hayden Thomas (#17) ended the Memorial threat and the game with an interception. The Spartans were impressive in all three phases of the game, resulting in a hard-fought win over their heated rivals. Spartans win 20-6.