Announcement
The Spartans played an exciting and comeptitive game vs. Cedar Ridge High School on Friday, Sept. 16th. St. Stephen’s ended up on the wrong end of a 35-14 game, but the score was not indicative of the competitive nature of the game. Cedar Ridge boasted a big advantage in the number players, subbing in on offense, defense and special teams while many of the Spartans were playing both ways.
Cedar Ridge scored first to take a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, but the Spartans came back strong. I took only five plays to tie the game with scoring drive capped by a 28 yard touchdown run by Carl Austin III. Austin III was a dual threat for the Spartans all night catching 7 passes for 100 yards and carrying the ball for 71 yards. St. Stephen’s seemed to be in charge for much of the first half and on their next drive took a 14-7 lead with a 24 yard touchdown run by senior Adam Wallace. The spartan rushing attack was strong with 240 yards, led by Wallace who rushed for 109, his second 100 yard rushing game of the season.
Momentum turned at the end of the second quarter. St. Stephen’s stopped Cedar Ridge on a 4th down with a big sack by Connor Wilson and Christian Turner. The Spartan’s then drove down the field into Cedar Ridge territory and seemed primed for another touchdown. A great 4th down pass completion by Wallace was nullified by a penalty and St. Stephen’s couldn’t convert. Suddenly, the Raiders broke off a couple of big runs and quickly tied the score. On the ensuing possesion, Cedar Ridge intercepted Wallace and converted another touchdown to take a 21-14 lead into halftime.
The Spartans fought back in the third quarter. A long drive ran off most of the time in the third quarter. St. Stephen’s brought the ball inside the Cedar Ridge 5 yard line, but could not convert on 4th down to tie the game. In the 4th quarter the Raiders wore down the Spartans and added two late scores for the final margin of victory.
The Spartans will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 23rd when they host San Antonio Hawkins at 7:30pm. It will be middle school recognition night as we honor all of our middle school student-athletes at halftime.
