The Sparta Spartans lost a tough Week 1 game against Oakridge. They faced off against their second Lakeshore opponent on Thursday, when they travelled to Ludington. From the opening kick, Sparta set the tone, and the Spartans will return home with a 41-3 victory.
All of the scoring in this game came in the first half. Dylan Turoski kicked things off with a 13-yard touchdown run for the Spartans. Bella Vallone booted an extra point that gave Sparta a 7-0 edge. They would double that count when Nic Gordon and Nick Schoonmaker paired up for a 60-yard touchdown pass.
Ludington got on the scoreboard at the beginning of the second quarter, as Miles Wilson converted a 30-yard field goal. Sparta would respond with twenty-seven unanswered points in the final nine minutes of the quarter to put this game far out of reach.
Sam Whitmore got things started with a 10-yard touchdown run. On the ensuing Ludington drive, Whitmore intercepted Ludington’s Trey Forfinski and returned it for a touchdown, pushing the Spartans lead to 27-3.
Turoski returned to the end zone when he reeled off a 27-yard touchdown run with 3:27 to go in the first half. Gordon and Schoonmaker would reconnect for the final score of the game, this time a 34-yard pass.
Sparta outgained Ludington in this game 333-215. Three turnovers doomed the Orioles, allowing short fields for the Spartans’ offense.
Next week, OK Silver play begins for Sparta when they host Comstock Park. Ludington will travel to Manistee for their annual rivalry contest in both teams’ Lakes 8 opener.
