Springport, MI. – If there was any rust on the Springport Spartans football team from last season it didn’t show as they came out fast and furious on their way to an easy 31-0 victory over the visiting Jayhawks of Vandercook Lake. They could have scored much more as they were driving the ball when the game was called at the 10 and a half minute mark in the third quarter due to several lightning strikes in the area.
The Spartans scored in two plays in the first 30 seconds of the game after they pitched for a reverse on the kickoff and they kept their foot on the throttle for the entire first half. The Jayhawks first offensive series ended in a 3 and out and the Spartans blocked the punt setting them up with great field position. It took only one play for them to increase their lead, going for the two-point conversion each time.
Again, the Jayhawks could not move the ball and the Spartans took over with great field position and then scored on a beautiful picture-perfect hook and ladder play with Colby Burger flipping the ball to Ryan Jonas on the left side of the field who ran untouched 50 yards into the end zone for a huge 24-0 lead.
Mitch Nutt in his first start at quarterback for the Spartans did an outstanding job and with 7 minutes to go in the second quarter he scrambled and ran untouched 59 yards for another Spartan score. Nutt played wide receiver last season but his athletic ability was the key for the Spartans as he made several great runs and throws in the contest.
Vandercook could not get anything throughout the game. The only time they had the ball past midfield was when the Spartans fumbled and several miscues later they were backed up into their own zone. Penalties and turnovers did not help them nor the fact they could not move the ball at all.
One of the lone bright spots for the Jayhawks was sophomore Andrew Cheney who did a great job kicking and punting and also found himself playing defensive back in the second quarter. He made many great tackles for the Jayhawks and broke up a few plays that would have been big for the Spartans.
After the half, the Jayhawks fumbled the ball on their first possession and the Spartans were driving again when lightning struck in the distance at the 10:34 mark. MHSAA rules state that there is a half-hour delay each time lightning strikes and after several more strikes it was decided to call the game.
The Spartans will take on Union City next week while the Jayhawks will take on Grass Lake.
