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Spartans rally to down Patriots

The Sudbury Spartans came from behind to defeat the Steel City Patriots 41-21 in NFC (Northern Football Conference) action last weekend.
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The Sudbury Spartans came from behind to defeat the Steel City Patriots 41-21 in NFC (Northern Football Conference) action last weekend.

The pivotal victory, in a matchup of teams that came into the contest both boasting records of 2-2, is just the latest positive sign this summer. In fact, a pair of losses to the Sarnia Imperials by a combined total of just seven points are all that stands between the Spartans and a flawless 5-0 mark.

"We had a really good performance from our O-Line," said head coach Junior Labrosse on Sunday evening.

"Our line really dictated the flow of the play. We were maybe a little shaky the first few series, but then they anchored down, giving (QB) Travis (Campbell) time to pass, opening big holes for (Scott) Smith and (Josh) Cuomo. Their discipline was phenomenal."

The group is really something of a mixed bag, with CND graduate Matt Beaulieu with the program since the Spartans' returned to the NFC a few years back, St. Benedict product Troy Kingsbury in his third year, sophomore Jonah Lynott joining his brother on the team, and veteran Paddy Walsh coming back recently to throw in that invaluable wisdom of experience.

Throw in a support crew that includes Charles Lepage, Nicholas Labrosse and Connor Hannah, whom coach Labrosse described as a "real find" this year, and one can see how things are beginning to come together for a team that boasts a tradition that is unmatched by any other franchise in the league.

Defensively, the Spartans continue to perform, keeping their opponents under thirty points for a fifth straight game.

"There were just some slight adjustments, in terms of what they were bringing to the table, trying to double-team our all-star ends," said Labrosse.

"We were caught standing still, and not picking up the right assignments. But the nice thing with this defense is that I'm able to make adjustments, and they go out and execute it."

Lost in the excitement of the win was an impressive finishing touch provided by Sudbury running back Josh Cuomo, who scored six touchdowns in leading the way for the visitors.

Kicker Massimo Cimino made good on five of six convert attempts. Skyler Hurst recorded a pair of touchdowns for the Patriots, with Jay Grant Hose adding the other.

The Spartans also dominated in the turnover count, scooping up three Hamilton fumbles, and a pair of picks, without turning the ball over at all.

Labrosse and company will welcome the Tri City Outlaws (1-4) to the James Jerome Sports Complex this coming Saturday evening (July 11), with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m.

"Tri City is a very run heavy team behind a huge O-Line," said Labrosse.

"I'm thinking they're going to pound the ball hard, take time off the clock, and try and wear us down. We're going to have to come up with ways of taking some of the pressure off our tackles, and make sure to get our linebackers involved in the pressure.

"Offensively, we're just going to have to be patient, like we have all season. Take what they give us." And keep building from there.

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