OLDS — The École Olds High School Spartans football team is out for revenge as they hit the road to take on Drumheller this Friday, Oct. 20.
Earlier this season, Drumheller beat the Spartans 35-10.
Since then however, the Spartans have built up a 5-1 record and as of Oct. 16 were ranked second in the province in the Tier 3 category.
That record includes a convincing 58-8 thumping of Carstairs last weekend.
In that game, Radek Heppner and Blair Van Brunschot scored two touchdowns each. Dane Drent, Landon Erick, Carson Christensen and Parker Irving scored one TD each.
On the defensive side of the ball, Ayden Rumpel had an interception and Chase Guhl recovered a fumble.
Sam Andrews and Noah Worth led the team in tackles.
In an email, the head coach Kent Lorenz said Will Grant, Cale Graville, Brody Rylance also had a strong game.
The matchup was originally scheduled to be played in Airdrie but was moved to Red Deer.
“We were very fortunate that we could pivot so quickly and not only find officials, but our opponents were able to make it work on short notice,” Lorenz wrote.
The Bantam game scheduled for 10 a.m. was bumped, enabling an 8 a.m. kick-off for the Spartans game.
"The weather cooperated as the game started under the lights and finished as the sun was rising in the east," Lorenz wrote.
Although the Spartans now have that lofty win/loss record, the hard work doesn’t stop as the season winds down.
“The team still has lots of hard work and preparation ahead in order to take on the top teams in the province,” Lorenz wrote.
Going into Saturday’s game against Carstairs, the École Olds High School Spartans football team was looking strong.
They had won their previous two games, downing the Bowness Trojans 21-1 on Oct 5 and High Wood High School of High River 38-7 on Sept. 29.
“In both games the defence was outstanding, working together to limit big plays and allow the offence to have good field position,” Lorenz wrote in an email to the Albertan.
He said other facets of the team’s game are equally encouraging.
“The team's offence is improving, with a contribution from different players each game,” Lorenz wrote. “Our special teams have had the biggest improvement since the start of the season.
“The team is starting to acknowledge that the game of football is the ultimate team sport. Everyone must be working together in order to be successful.”
In preparation for that game against Carstairs, Lorenz said his team were continuing to “sharpen the saw and work on fundamentals and various team drills.”
Playoffs get underway in November.
