WYOMING, Mich. — The first FOX 17 Blitz Game of the Week was a defensive struggle between Sparta and Godwin Heights. Ultimately it was the Spartans who prevailed to start the 2020 season.
The teams were tied through 3 quarters. It wasn't until Sparta's Dylan Turoski took a sweep 25 yards, stretching over the goal line as a Wolverine defender brought him down. The Spartans missed the extra point to take a 6 to nothing lead.
"We felt like we had some momentum," Chapman said. "We had some drives going but we just couldn't punch it in so that was big but they come right back and we got to win it right down there on the goal line, exciting first game."
Sparta's defense made the score hold up, knocking down a 4th down pass attempt into the endzone by Godwin Heights with just over a minute left in the game to seal the win.
"I thought our defensive line played outstanding. Everytime they got down here after a big play or a crucial drive for them one of defensive lineman Justin Mentalewicz or Sam Whitmore one of those guys made a huge play for us," Chapman said.
Junior running back and safety Dylamn Turoski's touchdown run in the fourth quarter gave Sparta the lead.
"It just gave us that energy that we needed to get our energy back, keep going to stop them on that last drive like we did, just gave us the energy," Turoski said.
Having to wear a mask and and playing in front of a small crowd didn't bother Turoski.
"It was very different but it is no different from any other football game," he said. "We are out here on the field competing."
Junior defensive end and tight end Samuel Whitmore says he knew there was going to be a low scoring battle.
"I am not surprised that it was a fight," Whitmore said. "I didn't know it was going to be zero-zero, but it was a really good game."
Sparta is now 1-0 on the season, and 1-0 in OK Silver play. Godwin Heights falls to 0-1, and 0-1 in the OK Silver.
