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State title hopes end for Spartans
Last Friday, the Spartans lost in the semi-final round to rival Memorial Day School after leading 8-0 at the half. After a scoreless first quarter, the Spartans struck first. Michael Taylor scored the first touchdown of the game with 4:35 remaining in the second quarter. The twopoint conversion was successful and Edmund Burke was on top 8- 0. Fearful of Memorial's speed, the Spartans lined up for an onside kick. The kick worked to perfection as Edmund Burke jumped on the ball near the 50-yard line. The Spartans failed to reach the end zone during their drive, but Edmund Burke's defense denied the Matadors significant yardage. At the start of the third quarter, the Spartans added to their lead when Taylor scored his second touchdown of the game. The 14- 0 lead seemed to give Edmund Burke momentum but the Matadors didn't give up. Late in the third quarter, Memorial scored on a long open field run by their quarterback, cutting the lead to seven. On their next possession, they threw a 50-yard pass that put them at EBA's 8-yard line. On the first play in the fourth quarter, Memorial tied the game with a touchdown, and things went downhill for the Spartans. A failed fourth down conver- sion by Edmund Burke in their own territory gave the Matadors great field position and set up the winning touchdown. A missed point-after attempt gave the Spartans some hope, but that hope faded as the Matadors intercepted Logan Christian's pass to Alex Sturkie on the Spartan's next possession. The Matadors capped off the game with a safety and took away Edmund Burke's chances at a state title with a 22-14 win. "Our mental intensity just went away after giving up that first touchdown," head coach Buddy Sorrow said. "We talked to them about giving up the big plays before the game and that's what happened. We gave up two big plays, and Memorial gained momentum," he added.
Despite the loss, Sorrow is pleased with how the season turned out. "I'm really proud of this team. I never would have thought at the beginning of the season that we would be one touchdown away from playing for the state championship. It's been a pleasant surprise coaching here. These kids have been great. They do everything I ask them to do, and they never complain. I'm so proud of the seniors and how each one of them stepped up this year. We're going to miss them next season, but we also have a good group of kids coming back. If they work as hard next year and we get them mentally tougher, it's going to be another good year," Sorrow said. |
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