Spartans Roar Past Lions
Photos and text by Robert Thomas
For the first half the game was close as the Moose Jaw Lions kept pace with the Moose Jaw Spartans.
The only problem is football is a game of four quarters and in the second half the Spartans would silence the Lions roar going on to e 32 - 6 victory in Kinsmen Moose Jaw Minor Football U12 division play on Friday evening.
Fir the Spartans it means a perfect 3 - 0 record so far this season and for the Lions the lass gives them a 2 - 1 record.
Moose Jaw Spartans Noah Amey sprints past the Lions defenders - MJ Independent photo by Robert Thomas
For Moose Jaw Spartans head coach Brock Montgomery was happy not just with the result but also the effort the Spartans put into the game.
“It was good It was. good game. It was tight there in the first half and like we the team today there is going to be ups and downs but we just wanted them to keep their attitude and effort up at the top and they did. They stuck to our plan and the second half kind of worked out. in our favour,” Montgomery said.
Asked if the Lions “had their number” in the first half he said “oh yeah. Obviously they have a running back (Logan Florent) that can literally run from one end to the other. So they had the big play. An 89 yard touchdown on us,” he said.
“We kind of got caught in a formation with two guys on the same side that we don’t like to have on the same side and they beat us.”
A Moose Jaw Lions player Logan Florent to turn it up field against tough Moose Jaw Spartans defence - MJ Independent photo by Robert Thomas
Asked about the positives for the Spartans was that “the kids battled back and they saw some adversity. It wasn’t just a game that wasn’t going to be given to them. They had to work for it.”
Montgomery said coming off of the field with a fumble or negative yards “is good for them. They came off, they battled back, they stuck together and it paid off for them.”
Regarding the rematch between the Lions and Spartans later in the season he said it was fun to battle the Lions.
“Me and Kellyn (Bollinger) the head coach of the Lions we leaver at eight in the morning tomorrow (Saturday) as we go to Estevan as we coach (the) Central (Cyclones) together and we’re buddies. we talk and its fun. Coaching this league at this level is a lot of fun,” he said.
Moose Jaw Lions David Alberts (right) attempts to make a tackle - MJ Independent photo by Robert Thomas
Regarding last season - when the Spartans defeated the Lions in the first game between the two and lost the second rematch game - Montgomery said the Lions were a good team and coached well.
“That’s one thing about our Moose Jaw teams they are coached well and there is balance in the way we draft the teams. You know the games are always going to be highly competitive.”
He said the difference in Friday night’s game was being able to run the ball and being able to keep the ball for long drives.
Moose Jaw Lions Logan Florent attempts to evade by Moose Jaw Spartans Bennett Dunlop - MJ Independent photo by Robert Thomas
Asked if the much cooler temperature or the stronger wind had an effect on the outcome Montgomery said “not yet. A couple of the kids were a little bit colder than normal but this is just the start.”
The wind may have been a bit of a factor he said “because we like to pass. And we want to try passes. The wind was a bit of a concern going different ways but we actually threw into the wind oil one play and it worked for us.”
Montgomery said he would like to thank the large contingent of fans who came out to cheer on the teams despite it being a chillier evening.
“It was good to see all of the people out watching the game. its a great crowd and this league is doing a lot of good things.”
Moose Jaw Spartans quarterback LEO Montgomery (left) attempts to evade a tackle - MJ In dependent photo by Robert Thomas
Although it wasn’t the result they had hoped for Moose Jaw Lions head coach Kelltyn Bollinger was still happy with his team’s effort.
“It was a tough fought game. I thought we stayed with them in the first half and the second half they kind of pulled away on us. That’s a good football team. I have to give the Spartans credit they come out to play tonight. They brought a really aggressive defence. A lot of tacklers out there. And tonight wsan’t our night,” Bollinger said.
Asked if the cooler weather was a factor he said he did not think so.
Moose Jaw Spartans BEckett Bauck (left) is in a foot race against Moose Jaw Lions tackler Landon Vanboquestal - MJ Independent photo by Robert Thomas
“I think the weather was fine. I talked to the kids after the game and thought that our practice wasn’t the best and it showed tonight. Practice is always important so.”
Asked if the scoreboard was not indicative of how the game actually was Bollinger agreed.
“We left a lot of plays in the field. There were a couple of balls that if thrown deep we are running for a touchdown. And you know it didn'tt happen for us. There were a lot of positives. We had our running back (Logan Florent) breaking tackles all over the place. As he always does. We just need a little bit more help from the rest of the team blocking.”
Moose Jaw Spartans Beckett bauck heads downfield after breaking a tackle - MJ Independent photo by Robert Thomas
“Im very proud. They fought to the end. They absolutely fought hard to the end and the scoreboard is not indicative of everything for sure.”
The higher winds had an effect a little bit in the first half for the Lions he said, adding it died down later in the game.
“It definitely changed our game plan at the start as far as what we wanted to do with throwing the ball. But you have got to live with what is out there. It wasn’t game changing completely,” he said.
Standing at th Spartans bench - MJ Independent photo by Robert Thomas
He said he is looking forward to the rematch with the Spartans. Last season the Lions lost the first matchup against the Spartans but came back with a victory in their second meeting of the season.
“One thing I am happy about is we do get a chance to come back and redeem ourselves against this team. I think we can put a better product on the field next time we meet and hopefully come out with a win.”
He said he would have “a lot of thinking” on how the Lions would redeem themselves “as the plan we had coming in here didn’t work. We’ll regroup as coaches as a team and we’ll have a game plan to take care of them the next time.”
Moose Jaw Lions Cohen Carter stands on the sidelines - MJ Independent photo by Robert Thomas
Bollinger said he was pleased with the large number of fans who braved the cooler evening to catch the game.
“What they do here in the league with these Friday night games are always q pleasure. There is always a good crowd and a good showing.”
