Spartans Stage Comeback Victory Over Chargers
Saturday evening saw the Moose Jaw Spartans defeat the visiting Estevan Chargers 39 - 25 in U12 division play in the Kinsmen Moose Jaw Minor Football League.
The victory left the Spartans with a 4 - 2 regular season record and the Chargers with a 2 - 4 regular season record.
“It was a good game,” Moose Jaw Spartans head coach Brock Montgomery said.
“We talked to the boys before the start of the game that our playoffs started tonight. We wanted to go into the playoffs playing well and this is a good test. The Estevan team is no joke. They have a very good running back over there. He is hard to stop…you have got to stick with the plan. It paid off the boys did well,” Montgomery said.
Asked about Estevan’s early tough play Montgomery said it was expected. The Chargers have the largest O line in the U12 division.
Moose Jaw Spartans Beckett Bauk is tackled
“It took us a little bit on O to get going. I knew they were going to be able to run the ball and they dumped everyone. They scored a lot of points on every team they played so we knew we were going to have to answer with our offence. And we did. In the second half they played great.”
The Spartans replied as necessary he said.
“They’re good. Their offensive line is massive. So I knew it was going to be one of those things where we just need some players to make plays. Our second year players did and I’m proud of them.”
A Moose Jaw Spartans ball carrier attempts to spin away from a tackle
Asked what stuck out to him on the evening Montgomery said it was all about playing fundamental football.
“Just do the fundamentals. The things we’ve been practicing all year. They just went back to basics and it paid off and they played a great second half.”
Regarding the upcoming playoffs - the Spartans face the Assiniboia Rockets next weekend - Montgomery said the team is looking forward to just continue the play from Saturday evening.
“The second half of this game is how we need to play against everyone. We will have to build from there.”
Estevan Chargers quarterback Dexter Tendler is tackled by Moose Jaw Spartans Bentley Dumbowsky
Montgomery was glad Saturday’s strong winds died of during the evening.
“It turned into a nice night for football so we really enjoyed the game.“
The winds were not a major factor despite strong winds favouring Estevan’s predominantly push and shove O line style of play, he said.
Moose Jaw Spartans Cohen Carter (center) heads upfield to block for the trailing ball carrier
For Estevan Chargers head coach James Haagsman despite the loss the team played well.
“It was definitely a slug fest there. We scored early which is nice and we kind of let them have it in the end,” Haagsman said.
The score at the end of the first quarter was 7 - 0 for the Chargers and at halftime it was 13 - 13.
The night was rough on Chargers quarterback Dexter Tendler who took and dished out punishment as the O line forced the Chargers offence consistently downfield in the early going.
Tendler would briefly leave the game after enduring lots of punishment during the course of the game.
“He is one of strongest players. If not the strongest player. He can score at anytime he has the ball. I have all the faith in him to do that.”
Moose Jaw Spartans Beckett Bauk (left) one arms an Estevan Chargers defender
Tendler would go out briefly injured and came back to immediately score a touchdown.
“He (Dexx Tendler) is definitely not shy of contact let’s put it that way.”
The Chargers large offensive line moved the ball well - especially in the first half of play.
“We focus on feet work and hand plays a lot. It’s just putting the guys in the right places is key.”
Meanwhile on the Moose Jaw Spartans bench
Last weekend’s 61 - 13 victory over arch rivals the Weyburn Ravens was “a great feeling” .
“It looks like now we are going to be playing them again and we get to host the wild card (game).”
Asked about the well known Estevan - Weyburn rivalry he said it would transcend to the wild card matchup between the two teams.
“Those are the kind of games I look forward to. I always look to have challenging games against Weyburn,” he said.
An Estevan Chargers defender tackles Moose Jaw Spartans Ollie Washington
Hagaasman said the success of the Estevan Oilers in the U14 division was not unexpected given many of the players on the team were in the U12 league championship from two years ago.
“That’s not something I’m not too surprised by. I had those players in my program two years ago and we were a winning team we went to the championship that year. That doesn’t surprise me at all those kids are very talented.
The wins by both Estevan teams last weekend in Weyburn was a major news story in Estevan’s newspaper last weekend.
“It definitely invigorates the community. The players at school all talk more about football. It brings more players on the field which is probably number one in our mind,” he said.
Estevan Chargers quarterback Dexx Tendler is downed by a duo of Moose Jaw Spartans defenders
Support fan wise has been strong for the team with capacity crowds at games.
“It’s a nice field we have at Woodlawn. It’s definitely a good atmosphere.”
The team will now look at the film and make adjustments in preparation for the playoffs.
