The Spartans improved their conference record to 4-0 Friday night, defeating the Hinkley Thunderbirds 27-7 in impressive fashion.
by Scott Bruskin
photo by Kevin Flemming
The Spartans enjoy the view from the top of the conference, they really do; and after defeating the Hinkley Thunderbirds Friday night, you can believe that they deserve it. Although TJ is at the top, they are currently sharing the spotlight, as the Gateway Olympians defeated the George Washington Patriots 13-0 to improve their conference record to 4-0 as well, setting up a crucial game in two weeks between the Olympians and the Spartans.
TJ wasted no time scoring against the Thunderbirds on Friday night, as Junior Running Back Michael Craig pounded the ball in from six yards out. However, Hinkley answered back in short order when Quarterback Don Smallwood threw a 24 yard strike to George Nelson. Fortunately for the Spartans, that is all the scoring that Hinkley would be able to produce.
Matt Averyhart, the other half of the Spartan Junior running back tandem followed up his career week last week with an even better stat sheet this time around, racking up 148 yards on 27 carries. Averyhart also scored two touchdowns in the game, one from 34 yards out, and one from a yard away. “We had hard running as well as excellent defense, but we still have yet to play to our full potential,” commented Junior Guard Valentino Lamorie.
The game would not have been complete without a touchdown pass, and that is just what the Spartans engineered in the fourth quarter when Junior Quarterback Clarence Graham hooked up with Junior Receiver Billy Sprague for a 28-yard touchdown pass. “We played a solid game; however, we need to play better if we want to go deep into the postseason. We need to the fix the little things, and that will come in practice,” said Sophomore Linebacker Robert McMackin.
The Spartans will look to defeat the George Washington Patriots next Friday at All City Stadium; the game will begin at 4:00pm. After coming off a tough loss to Gateway, the Patriots will be looking to exact revenge on the Spartans; but if the TJ squad continues to improve their play like they have every week thus far, and Averyhart has another good game, then the Spartans should have an easy time with George Washington.
