Spartans Topple Junkyard Dogs, Take over First Place
Wauwatosa – In Ironman Football League (IFL) action, the Wauwatosa Spartans Football Club hosted the conference-leading Waukesha City Junkyard Dogs at Charles Hart Park on Saturday afternoon. The Spartans were fresh from a solid win the week before over conference rival, the Shorewood Monarchs, winning 42-8. Waukesha City was also riding high after a convincing win over the Milwaukee Venom to the tune of 62-20. A win by the Spartan would catapult them to first place in the American Conference, leap-frogging the Junkyard Dogs, but a win by the Dogs would assure them first place, and a number one seed in the playoffs. On a hot afternoon, the Spartans prevailed 31-14.
The game started with both teams trading three-and-outs on their respective offensive series. The Junkyard Dogs were able to muster some offense on their second series, but were stopped when Spartan defensive end Joe Flick sacked QB Eric Treske, resulting in a turnover on downs. From there, the Spartans mounted their first scoring drive, topped off when kicker Charlie Henke booted a 30-yard field goal for a 3-0 Spartan lead.
“Getting those first points were crucial, and really seemed to loosen our guys up,” says Spartan Head Coach Brandy Spoerl. “We have so much confidence in our defense that anytime we can take the lead; it takes a lot of pressure off the offense.”
Waukesha City saw its next drive stopped quickly and they punted, which they were able to down inside the Spartans’ five yard line. But the Spartans offense deliberately moved the ball out of danger to set up a 50-yard scoring strike from quarterback Tony Henner to wide receiver Raymon Porchia and a 10-0 lead.
But the Dogs would answer with a scoring drive of their own, taking it 60 yards down the field, culminating in a 10-yard Treske touchdown run to make it 10-7, where it would stay until halftime.
At the start of the third, the Spartans started what would be the game’s winning drive. Starting at their own 25-yard line, the offense methodically marched down the field, eating up almost 11 minutes on the game clock. Then, from one yard out, fullback Timmy Beuth ran through a defender to give the Spartans a 17-7 lead.
Both offenses stalled somewhat for the next couple series, seeing the Dogs go for it on fourth down and turn it over, the Spartans were then forced to punt, and the Dogs were also forced to punt to end the third quarter, still at 17-7.
But the Junkyard Dogs last punt only sailed five yards, before heading out of bounds, giving the Spartans excellent field position at the Waukesha City 35. It only took one look from Henner to Porchia for the next Spartan score, a 35-yard strike, and a commanding 24-7 lead.
“That play was the dagger,” says Spoerl. “Their defense was tired from our previous drive, and we wanted to take advantage right away, and it worked.”
But again, the Dogs fought back, driving 75 yards for a score of their own on a Treske one-yard scramble, making it 24-14. Waukesha City attempted another onside kick with time running out, which was recovered by the Spartans, giving them another short field. Henner quickly took advantage, finding a wide-open Greg Rebella for a 45-yard score and a 31-14 lead. The Spartan defense then held the Dogs until time expired preserving the 31-14 win.
The Spartan offense was efficient and turnover-free. Henner was 10-19 for 222 yards and 3 TDs. His top target was Porchia, who grabbed 6 catches for 129 yards and 2 TDs. Wide receiver Greg Rebella added 3 catches for 81 yards and 1 TD. On the ground, running back Bobby Windom was a workhorse, rushing 18 times for 64 yards. Fullback/tight end Timmy Beuth added 6 attempts for 17 yards and 1 TD.
On defense, the Spartans sacked Treske several times, led by linebacker Eric Zilisch’s 1.5 sacks and defensive end Joe Flick’s 1.5 sacks. Cornerback Dave Earl led the team with 6 solo tackles.
“This was a huge win, but we’re already looking forward to this coming weekend,” says Spoerl. “We are now able to control our own playoff destiny, and a win would lock up the number one seed, something we’d very much like to do with a couple weeks still remaining in the season.”
The Spartans improve to 5-2 overall, and 4-2 in IFL play. Wauwatosa hosts the Southern Lakes Blue Devils on Saturday, July 30th at Wisconsin Lutheran College’s Raabe Field in Wauwatosa at 7:00 p.m. Winner will secure the number one seed in the AFC playoffs. The Blue Devils dispatched the Fond du Lac Crusaders 47-15 on Saturday night and come in with a 5-1 record. Waukesha City falls to 4-2, and hosts the Muskego Hitmen at Kettle Moraine High School, also on the 30th at 7:00 p.m.
