Last Minute Touchdown Leads Pioneers Over Spartans

The Spartan football team traveled to play Northland Community College on Sunday in a divisional match-up.   The Spartans after trailing 13-0 mounted a 14 point comeback to take the lead late in the 4th quarter.  The Pioneers however were able to convert a 3rd and long to set up a on the next play a 24 yard TD pass to take the lead and win the game by a score of 21-14.   The lose knocks the Spartans to 0-5 on the season.

The Spartans defense provided several highlights.  Josh Mitchell, Kenny McKay, and John Thomas all collected INT's for the Spartans.   The Spartan D also forced and recovered 3 fumbles.  Milkaso Dedefo lead the Spartans with 8 tackles including two sacks.

Offensively the Spartans were held scoreless in the first half but back-up QB Kenny McKay came in the 2nd half and provided the offense with a much need spark.  He lead the Spartans on a 6 play 92 yard scoring drive that was capped off with a 35 yard pass for a touchdown to James Hobson.  McKay scored the second touchdown of the day when he scrambled in from 10 yards out.  He followed it up with another run for the 2pt conversion to allow the Spartans to take the lead. 

Head Coach Cory Miller thoughts on the game were.  "This game is going to sting for a while.  We had several opportunities to put this game away but failed.  Turnovers, penalties, and poor field position continue to be issues for us.  I was extremely proud at how our guys battled back from being down.  We hadn't shown that yet this year and so that was really exciting to see.  Kenny McKay stepped up for us in a big way.  He has been having a great season defensively but stepping in the 2nd half and playing QB for us and giving us that spark shows a lot about his character and toughness.   I hope we can build upon this performance and finish the season strong."

The Spartans will be in action this Saturday as they return home to play NDSCS at 1:30pm.