Stratford entered Round 1 of the 6A-Division 2 Playoffs as a heavy favorite, and the Spartans lived up to their billing with a dominant 58-28 win over the Westside Wolves. Stratford wasted no time, jumping out to an early 28-0 lead by scoring on the first four possessions and forcing two turnovers in the opening quarter.

The scoring onslaught began with Hunter Biehl’s 5-yard jet sweep touchdown. The defense quickly followed suit, as Parker Johnson stripped the ball from a Westside player, and Tiergan Burl recovered the fumble. On the very next play, Anderson Dinh capitalized with a 9-yard jet sweep touchdown, putting the Spartans up 14-0.

Westside’s struggles continued as the Wolves turned the ball over on downs after opting to go for it on 4th-and-1. Stratford punched it in on the ensuing drive with a 1-yard touchdown run from Javi Denson. The Spartans’ defense again stepped up on Westside’s next possession, with Eric Ferworn knocking the ball loose from a ball carrier and Blake Barry falling on the fumble. Seven plays later, Aaron DeLeon capped off the drive with a dazzling 22-yard touchdown run to make it 28-0 early in the second quarter.

Westside finally broke through with a 34-yard touchdown run, cutting the lead to 28-7, but Stratford answered quickly. Just three plays later, DeLeon connected with Biehl on a perfectly thrown 54-yard deep ball, extending the lead to 35-7. The Spartans then added a 25-yard field goal by Ricky Estrada to make it 38-7 before Westside responded with a quick 4-play, 60-yard touchdown drive, bringing the score to 38-14.

Stratford wasn't done yet. With just under two minutes remaining in the half, quarterback Gavin Guzman connected with Johnathan Joseph Jr. on a 68-yard touchdown pass. Westside tried to mount a comeback before the break, but Stratford's William Schoenfield intercepted a pass to end the half with the Spartans firmly in control, 45-14.

The second half began much like the first ended, with Westside attempting to move the ball through the air. However, Jack McAfee had other plans, intercepting a pass to give the Spartans excellent field position. The offense moved down to the Westside 7-yard line but stalled, settling for a 24-yard field goal from Estrada to extend the lead to 48-21.

Westside managed a 2-yard touchdown run on an 11-play drive, making it 48-21, but Stratford answered with yet another field goal, this time from Andrew Lumpkin from 29 yards out, making it 51-21. Westside managed to score on a 1-play, 73-yard quarterback keeper, closing the gap to 51-28, but Stratford responded with a methodical 9-play, 70-yard drive that culminated in a 1-yard touchdown run by Davis Kendall to close out the scoring at 58-28.

With the win, Stratford advances to the second round of the playoffs, where they will face a tough 10-1 Katy Jordan team, which is coming off its first-ever playoff victory in the school’s history. The Spartans not only took care of business in Round 1, but they also emerged from the game healthy and primed for the challenges ahead.

This Week: Round 2 against the Katy Jordan Warriors, Friday 6:30 pm at Legacy Stadium in Katy.

Be Early! Be Loud! Go Spartans!

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