TJ’s football team is back on the winning track with a close victory against GW.
Photo by Rebecca Holt
This Saturday, October 16th at 1:00 p,m,, the Spartans faced off against the George Washington Patriots for George’s Homecoming game, and felt the sweet taste of revenge with a winning score of 21-14.
In the first half of the game, the Spartans came out slow and unfocused, making several unnecessary and early mistakes that have been the story of TJ’s lackluster season to date. The Spartan offense had trouble keeping possession of the ball, and the Spartan defense was unable to stop the Patriots several times through the air for big play yardage. In the beginning of the first half, the Spartans found themselves in deep trouble and were two touchdowns behind the Patriots at the end of the half with a score of 14-0.
When the team took the field for the start of the second half, the momentum seemed to have shifted immensely in the favor of the Spartans and they took their positions for the kickoff with determination and the thirst for a win. Immediately after gaining possession of the ball, the Spartans went full steam ahead toward the end zone giving the ball to Raycell Rush who made a monumental run after the catch to put the Spartans on the scoreboard. “Raycell’s play was just what we all needed to get re-energized and back into trying to win the game,” said Senior Ian Melnicoe. After this scoring drive, the Spartans settled into playing their game with some brick wall-like defensive stands and hard nose running with tailbacks Lonnie Hampton, Denzeal Truesdale, and Robert McMacken. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Hampton evened the score with the Patriots with one of these hard runs.
As the second half began to tick away, the Spartans found themselves with possession of the ball marching down the field to the end zone. Again they stuck with the game plan and ran the ball against the Patriot defense and in no time were in their offensive red zone with only 40 seconds on the clock. The Spartans kept the ball on the ground trying to break free for a touchdown, and were finally able to do so with only 17 seconds left in the game with a goal line touchdown by Truesdale. “Watching these last few seconds of the game were some of the most intense I have ever seen! I’m really glad they [TJ] pulled it off in the end,” said Sophomore Spectator Michael Mahoney enthusiastically.
The Spartans look to keep their winning streak alive as the face off against arch rivals, the East Angels, on Friday, October 22nd at 7:00 p.m. The game will be at All City Field, so make sure to catch the excitement, TJ.
TJ Varsity Football Schedule:
9/03/10
7:00 PM @ Columbine (Littleton, CO) ( L 30-14)
9/11/10
4:00 PM vs. Chaparral (Parker, CO) ( L 45-19)
9/16/10
7:00 PM @ Heritage (Littleton, CO) ( L 46-6)
Location: Littleton Public Stadium
9/24/10
7:00 PM vs. Denver South (Denver, CO) (L 27-18)
10/01/10
6:00 PM vs. Lakewood (Lakewood, CO) (L 28-14)
10/09/10
4:00 PM @ Lincoln (Denver, CO) (W 40-0)
10/16/10
1:00 PM @ George Washington (Denver, CO) (W 21-14)
10/22/10
7:00 PM vs. Denver East (Denver, CO)
10/30/10
4:00 PM @ Montbello (Denver, CO)
Location: All City Stadium
