In a high-octane Battle of the Beltway showdown, the Varsity Stratford Spartans Football Team capped off their regular season with an impressive 42-21 victory over Memorial, securing third place in District 17-6A and a top seed in the upcoming 6A Division II playoffs. The Mustangs may have spent the week playing pranks, but it was the Spartans’ power-packed offense and swarming defense that dominated the night.

Stratford wasted no time making a statement, receiving the opening kickoff for the tenth time this season. The Spartans marched 70 yards on 11 plays, with quarterback Aaron DeLeon and running back Javi Denson leading the charge. DeLeon capped off the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run, giving the Spartans a 7-0 lead. Memorial responded with a solid 12-play, 75-yard drive of their own, tying the game at 7 with a 1-yard touchdown plunge.

However, Stratford quickly regained the lead on the next possession. DeLeon found Hunter Biehl on a crossing route that Biehl turned into a 62-yard touchdown to put the Spartans up 14-7. After a three-and-out by Memorial and a short punt, Stratford capitalized on excellent field position, driving 44 yards on 6 plays to score again, this time on a 5-yard DeLeon touchdown run. The Spartans' defense then stepped up big as Blake Barry recorded a big sack on first down, putting the Mustangs in an obvious passing situation. Peter Vescovo would halt the Mustangs’ momentum with a diving interception on third down.

Starting from their own 42-yard line, the Spartans marched down the field again, finishing off a 10-play drive with a 13-yard rushing touchdown by DeLeon to extend the lead to 28-7 just before halftime. Memorial had one last chance before the break, but a three-and-out by the Stratford defense sent the Spartans into the half in control.

The second half started with a booming kickoff from Andrew Lumpkin that sailed into the end zone for a touchback, setting Memorial up at their 25-yard line. The Mustangs opened the third quarter with a 16-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a 15-yard touchdown pass, cutting the Spartans' lead to 28-14. But DeLeon and the Stratford offense had an answer. The Spartans methodically drove 76 yards on 10 plays, with DeLeon finishing the series with a 13-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 35-14.

Memorial continued to battle, responding with a 75-yard drive of their own in the fourth quarter to pull within two touchdowns at 35-21. With time running out, the Mustangs attempted an onside kick, but Jack McAfee came up with the recovery, all but sealing the victory. The Spartans, refusing to take their foot off the gas, continued to drive the ball downfield. A critical 31-yard pass from DeLeon to Biehl on a 3rd-and-12 moved the ball to Memorial’s 3-yard line, where Denson punched it in for a 3-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 42-21.

Memorial wasn’t done yet, though. The Mustangs drove deep into Stratford territory, reaching the 24-yard line with just seconds left. However, the Spartans’ defense came through once again, with cornerback Eric Ferworn intercepting a pass in the end zone to seal the victory.

Offensive Standouts:

• Aaron DeLeon was outstanding, passing for 195 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 93 yards and 4 touchdowns.
• Javi Denson powered through the Memorial defense with 19 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown, along with 2 receptions for 9 yards.
• Hunter Biehl had a monster game, hauling in 5 catches for 131 yards and a touchdown.
• Anderson Dinh contributed with 3 receptions for 55 yards.

Defensive Standouts:

• Parker Johnson led the team in tackles with 12 and added a pass deflection.
• Tiergan Burl recorded 10 tackles, including 7 solo stops.
• Eric Ferworn was all over the field, contributing 7 tackles and sealing the win with a crucial interception.
• Jonathan Joseph, Jr. had 8 tackles and 2 pass deflections.
• Blake Barry was a disruptor, recording a sack and multiple pressures throughout the game.
• Peter Vescovo made a pivotal interception, continuing his strong defensive play.

With the victory, Stratford finished the regular season at 7-3 overall and 6-2 in District play. They now head into the playoffs as the top seed from District 17-6A in the 6A Division II bracket. The Spartans will look to carry this momentum forward as they prepare for the next chapter in their playoff journey.

This Week: Round 1 against the Westside Wolves, Friday at 7:00 pm at Tully.

Be Early! Be Loud! Go Spartans!

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