In what was another close battle and very low scoring, wet game against the York Lions Saturday as the Sudbury Junior Spartans really felt the rain. The Spartans came up short in the OPFL Semi-Finals by a score of 6-0 to end their inaugural season.

Saturday’s game was opened with the sky dumping rain on both teams, as well as the fans attending. With more rain off and on throughout the game, the conditions made it hard for both teams to hand-off and throw the ball. This led to many fumbled balls by both teams.

With both teams sticking to a run heavy game, to limit from throwing the wet football, both teams offensive and defensive lines had their work cut out for them.

The 1st quarter was a very back and forth affair, with the ball going back and forth between the teams 5 times, whether it was through botched handoffs, fumbles, or just being forced to punt. The 1st would go scoreless with the Lions missing a field goal attempt halfway through the quarter.

Moving into the 2nd Devin Zloty, quarterback for the JV Spartans, started to throw the ball. Connecting with Josh Morin and Zack Primeau multiple times. The Lions would also start to do the same, with quarterback Scott Barnett connecting with Jared Goldin. Despite the teams throwing the ball the score had yet to be moved from 0-0, with both defensive units stopping anything their opposition got going.

The only score of the game would come late into the 3rd quarter when Barnett got the ball to Makias Harvey-Dick in the endzone to give the visiting Lions a 6-0 lead. Their extra point attempt would not be good as the snap slipped through the ball holders’ hands.

The JV Spartans put together one final push late in the 4th quarter when quarterback Michael Reich made 3 nice passes moving the team quickly into the Lions territory. This drive would be ended when Jared Goldin on the York defence intercepted a pass intended for Josh Guignard. With only 22 seconds left in the game, York decided to knee out the remaining time, leaving the final score at 6-0 for the York Lions.

This loss marks the end of the JV Spartans inaugural season. Having made it to the OPFL Semi-Finals and finishing the season 1st in the North Division, the team has made this introductory season look like they have been in the league for years. We can only now look forward to next year to see what they bring to the field.