After losing a couple of games to start off the season the Strathmore High School Spartans have been trying to formulate a game plan that could work for them.  The loss of their quarterback left a big hole in the offensive firepower, one that they would hope to fill with a bigger defense and that work has paid off in a 20 - 15 win against the defending tier four champions, Canmore Wolverines. Cooper Nelson, Ty Stone, and Justin Gillis scored the Spartans touchdowns.  

Head Coach Travis Gorski talked about the team's drive to succeed, "We had a great week of practice, and you knew the boys were really hungry for that first win of the year.  We came out and had an absolutely had a fantastic first quarter.  We marched the ball on offense almost the entire quarter, gave up maybe one first down on the entire half, and ended up going up 20 to nothing going into the second half." 

Part of the success was from the captain of the defense, Cooper Nelson who was instrumental in scoring for the Spartans.  Nelson stopped a punt and almost scored on the same play, and then late in the second jumped to the offensive side and scored a touchdown on the last play.  Nelson puts it all on the line and sacrifices to get the job done, "Well you really have to commit to it because it doesn't feel very good.  There are just these moments where you just run-up, and I guess you just jump for it and hope it hits you.  I just kept my eyes on the ball and then moved my hands so I could get to it and it ended up working out."

The next home game is their big push to get the town out and to get the local support against a strong Rundle College team that runs all of their offense through their quarterback.  Rundle College is coming off a 55 to nothing win because of their QB, so Gorski and the team have been studying footage to shut down the threat by forcing him into the pocket to keep him from using his fast feet.

Nelson will be a big part of that plan and talks about what they will be doing to get ready, "Me and my other captain, we hold each other accountable in practice and in games, so that is really a brotherhood on defense.  We tell them that if you mess your job up then it affects the rest of the team, so the guys can be more motivated to do what they have to do.  Our offense is doing really well as well, so I think we will have another strong game this week."

Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. at the Strathmore High School field September 27.