Spartans Use Defence To Leash Bulldogs In Rainy Day Matchup
Story and Photos by Robert Thomas
It may have been a wet, cold and soggy Sunday afternoon but that didn’t dampen the spirits at Elks Athletic Field as the two undefeated U12 teams went head to head for top in the league bragging rights.
After a battle which saw a strong U12 Spartans defence go up against an equally strong U12 Bulldogs offence it was the defensive side that won the day.
The First Quarter looked like the heavens were set to open up further soaking the field but the rains held off.
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs the rain may have held off but the Spartans crossing the goal line didn’t.
The score at the end of the quarter was Spartans 13 and Bulldogs 0.
The Second Quarter saw the Bulldogs get on the scoreboard.
The Spartans answered though raking in two touchdowns.
The Bulldogs hung in and managed to score a touchdown in the final play of the half.
The score at Halftime was Spartans 25 and Bulldogs 14.
The Third Quarter saw the Spartans take a 37 - 14 lead over the Bulldogs including a successful two point conversion.
The Fourth Quarter saw the Bulldogs under continuous pressure from the Spartans defence.
The Final Score was Spartans 44 and the Bulldogs 14.
The win moves the Spartans into sole possession of first place with a 4 - 0 record.
“It was good. It was a good battle. Like these two teams are playing good right now. We are both undefeated teams coming into this. We have watched them play. They have a great offence. They have fast players and they are hard to tackle,” Brock Montgomery head coach of the U12 Spartans said after the game.
“They scored two touchdowns near the end of the half and kind of put us in check a little bit,” Montgomery said.
He said the coaches had already spoken to the Spartans players telling them they were up against a very good team and they would get scored upon.
“We told them to forget about it you’re only as good as your next play. Regroup as a unit and rely upon your team. That’s what we did then we were able to rebound,” he said.
Asked if he thought the weather was a factor in the game Montgomery said it was to some extent but not to the extent it dictated the results of the game.
“Yeah there were a few, there were some balls that hit the ground. I think the weather had something to do with it. I think mainly it’s when the kids come early before and they’re getting wet and cold and not dressing that is usually the problem.”
Overall, though, Montgomery didn’t think the weather was the major factor in the game plans of both teams.
Asked further, if he thought the Bulldogs, perhaps held off passing the ball in the first half because it was wet and by the second half, it was drier out allowing passing.
“Yeah that could’ve been part of their game plan,” Montgomery said.
The Bulldogs did keep on passing even though there was a few times they missed so Montgomery said a passing game could have very well been his team’s opponent’s game plan.
“They made us respect the pass and they beat us in it to.”
The condition of the grass and the slipping and falling that happened Montgomery simply described as just part of the game.
Despite the potential for serious injury due to the unstable conditions brought on by the wet field both teams had only a few minor injuries that were healed up within a couple plays.
“Unfortunately it’s going to keep getting colder and the weather worse so we have been prepared for it,” Montgomery said.
He said the Spartans practiced in the rain yesterday on a field with similar conditions, in preparation for Sunday’s matchup against the Bulldogs.
“We let them know the rain is not going to stop the game so you had better be prepared for it,” he said.
The Spartans Season So Far…
“We’re doing well there are spots we can work on,” Montgomery said about the Spartans season so far.
“We are getting better. I think we will get better. It’s just the process of the kids buying in, doing their reps, doing their job and knowing their role on the team. It’s coming together,” he said.
“Where we were with the first game to where we are now is significantly different and I just think we’re just going to continue getting better.”Montgomery said.
The Spartans have majorly improved offensively.
“I think our timing is better and that allows our weapons, our running backs, to get free and use their legs.”
Defensively has also been improvements for the Spartans.
“We work on tackling every day and I think it comes to team tackles against a team like the Bulldogs we have all those weapons will be able to tackle well.”
Defensively the Spartans shine the most.
“We take pride in playing good defence. You know we have some veterans on the team, kids who played with us last year…they set a good example for the new guys and they are doing a good job.”
Asked which part of Sunday’s game was the most important in the Spartans victory offence or defence Montgomery said.
“I think the defence is what led to the high score. When you play a good defence you turn the ball over more and you get more time on the offence. It turns into scores and we were able to capitalize on shutting them down and getting the ball back and scoring.”
Asked if he was surprised about the Bulldogs using the passing game more as U12 football can be characterized as more of a running game Montgomery said he wasn’t.
“I’m not surprised they have good coaching and good athletes over there. It may be one thing they see on tape that we do a pretty good job stopping the run. So maybe they see a weakness in that,”
“They have good coaches and good athletes they’re going to make passes and they can,” Montgomery said.
Montgomery said he was happy with how the league was being run and he’s very happy with the turnout at Sunday’s game despite the weather.
