As for the game, it was pretty much of what one would expect when you have a team that played in the state semi-final game just a year ago against a team that has never played against varsity competition.  The Spartans were a machine as they man-handled the young Warriors from the start with a pounding display of hard-nosed football.

The Spartans came out of the block with a bone crushing 80 yard drive that was culminated by QB Will Daniel on a 20 yard option keeper for a quick 7-0 lead.  Things got worse very quickly as the Warriors were not able to mount any kind of drive on their opening possessions. 

Athens QB Will Daniel reading the veer option attack to perfection

The Spartans did what all good teams do and that is to play the game as though they were playing a seasoned team. QB Will Daniel was very solid as he threw two scoring strikes back to back for a 21-0 lead still in the first quarter.  Daniel hit WR Landon Heath for a beautiful18-yd slant for a touchdown then followed that up with a short pass over the middle to RB James Colquitt in which Colquitt rumbled through at least four Warriors defenders before diving across the goal line for 25-yd TD pass.

The Spartans were not done yet as RB Henry Terrell bruised his way to pay dirt on a 2-yd td run.  As the first quarter ended Athens Academy scored again, this time defensively on a safety for a rousing 30-0 1^st quarter lead.

The second period started out pretty much the same way as the Spartans scored on a 25-yd td run by Timmy Phillips for a resounding 36-0 lead with 6:50 to go in the half.

I must make one thing perfectly clear in that though the Spartans were scoring at will, they were not in any way trying to run up the score.  Head Coach Michael Gunn should be commended as he substituted freely throughout the first half and played his alternates the entire second half. You have to remember that Athens Academy has a goal also and

they want to have their team ready to play.

Mano vs Mano as Spartans RB James Colquitt takes on SACA's FS Anthony Willis.

After being down 36-0 still in the 1^st half, the Warriors NEVER showed a spirit of defeat.  That was none more evident as when sophomore strong safety Dwight Jones scooped up a fumble and sprinted 80 yards untouched for the first ever varsity td in SACA’s history. As the crowd roared in excitement, a Warrior parent (who will remain nameless) turned around and said “did we just win the game”.  No they did not win but the excitement and the support that was given to those young men was something to behold.  Yes, I must admit that I too was jumping and hollering as this was a historic moment for the Warriors.  As for Jones of SACA, he would again make history as he snatched an interception as well.

The Warriors have nothing to hang their hat about, as they played with a great amount of pride and hustle. Head Coach Demarco Thompson and his staff have done an outstanding job in preparing this young football team to meet the challenges of playing varsity football.  Though this is a young team, I was extremely impressed with the talent that the Warriors have.  Make no mistake, these young kids can play!  Game Day Players (GDP) were MLB Joseph Jewsome, FS Anthony Willis, QB Tyler Williams, DL Ronnie Calhoun, DB Cole Scotti, FB/LB Joseph Cooper, ATH Jordan Johnson and of course SS Dwight Jones.

I say to you Coach Thompson and the Warriors, continue to stay on the path of PDR (pride, determination and resiliency).  For it will not be long before you all start giving out some lessons of your own!

Final Score: Athens Academy 39 – SACA 6

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