SPARTA – The Sparta Spartans (3-1) conquered the Newton Braves (2-1) Friday night, earning an impressive 35-20 victory. Sparta’s senior running back Brady Shagawat rushed for a hat trick, nabbing three rushing scores vs Newton.
When it comes to football in Sussex County, Sparta and Newton are often cited as two of the best teams the region has to offer. From great quarterback play at Sparta, to an incredible winning culture at Newton, Friday night’s matchup set up to be another terrific chapter in their rivalry. Having been dominated by the Braves to start the decade, the Spartans have turned it around vs Newton and they looked to make it three straight in the series.
Right from the start, it was fireworks for Sparta, playing in front of a rowdy home crowd. On their first drive of the night, Seton Hall baseball commit and Spartans’ quarterback Shane Hoover found receiver Le-Shem Little for the touchdown. The 33-yard touchdown reception put Sparta up 7-0 with 10:17 left in the first quarter.
After fumbling the ball and handing possession back to Newton on their second drive of the night, Sparta made a defensive statement soon after. On fourth and goal, the Spartans brought the pressure and forced Newton quarterback Matt Ellsworth to throw an incomplete pass. This resulted in a turnover on downs and Sparta regaining position with 2:54 remaining in the first quarter.
Newton’s rushing attack was noteworthy, even in their loss on Friday. Fullback Nick Kurilko and running back Evan Cotter, both who entered the game with impressive performances to start the season, were difficult for Sparta to contain. First, the senior Kurilko paved through the middle of the Sparta defense for a 55-yard rushing touchdown to tie it at seven with 7:20 left in the second quarter.
Then, as the game marched into the second half, momentum shifted in the direction of the Braves. Cotter would be next to score for Newton as his 65-yard touchdown reception tied the game at 14 with six minutes left in the third quarter.
A second 60 plus yard reception from Cotter would set up Newton in the red zone and Kurilko would score a few plays later. It would be 20-14 Newton with 1:56 remaining in the quarter after their PAT was blocked.
But Shagawat of Sparta got the last laugh against his opposing position men. Coming in with four rushing touchdowns on the season, Shagawat was outstanding for the Spartans on Friday.
His productive night got started in the second quarter when he leaped over his offensive line to make it 14-7 with 4:21 remaining. Late in the third quarter, after a fast and efficient drive, the senior spun into the endzone and helped Sparta take a 21-20 lead. Then with four minutes remaining in the game, Shagawat was untouched entering the endzone and sealed the victory for Sparta.
Following the game, Shagawat and Sparta head coach Frank Marchiano spoke highly about one unit in particular, the offensive line.
“Those guys are awesome,” Shagawat said. “First half was a struggle, we couldn’t really move the ball offensively, and then second half you know offensive line is a mindset and just running the ball is a mindset. It was just a mindset and we’re [going to] just come at you and you’re not going to stop us.”
“The most thing I’m proud about is our offensive line in the second half, going out there and being able to run the ball,” Marchiano said postgame. “Tonight was a credit to our offensive line and a credit to Brady [Shagawat] for grinding out yards.”
The Spartans’ ability to seal the victory late could be in large part thanks to a scope and score by the defense with 8:43 remaining. Ellsworth was unable to properly receive the snap, which allowed for Sparta linebacker Jace Stainsen to return it to make it 28-20.
One thing was for sure, the energy from the Spartan faithful was brought Friday night.
“Sparta is a football town, it’s always been a football town,” Coach Marchiano said. “Our students, our town, our administrators, our teachers, they come out for games. It’s always been like this. Sparta is a football town and it’s a pleasure to coach here.”
A little bit of Sussex superiority was also won on Friday for Sparta.
“Everyone says who’s the best in Sussex County, we’re the best in Sussex County,” Shagawat emphatically said.
Sparta will travel to Vernon next Friday, while Newton will face High Point in a big divisional battle also next Friday.
