In a rescheduled game coming after an unexpected week off, the Scottsdale Prep Spartans kept their undefeated season alive, dominating Valley Lutheran last Friday 27-6.

After an unexpected week off last week, the Spartans had some trouble finding a rhythm in the first half, according to head coach David Primavera. “We made a lot of mistakes offensively in the first half,” Primavera said. “We probably could have put up at least three touchdowns. We had five offensive penalties for 55 yards in the first half, and a lot of those were holding calls which were killer.”

A holding call near the goal line kept the Spartans out of the endzone and hurt their momentum, but adjustments in the second half helped the Spartans take control of the game, according to Primavera.

“Instead of having a first-and-goal at the five, we ended up having a third-and-goal from the thirty,” Primavera said. “We calmed down in the second half, our guys were a little bit rusty and nervous, so I think that first half allowed us to knock the rust off and settle down.”

The Spartan receivers kick-started the offensive clinic that was the second half, as Devon Strader hauled in three touchdown’s and Tyler Johnson tallied nearly 100 receiving yards.

Despite a resounding victory, the Spartans had trouble generating big plays in the first half, but Strader’s big game changed the momentum of the game.

“It was 7-0 going into the half,” Primavera said. “At the start of the third quarter, we hit Strader on a quick slant and he took it 40 yards for a touchdown. That play changed the entire momentum of the football game.”

Strader wasted no time finding the endzone again after the Spartan defense forced a quick three-and-out. Quarterback Oscar Frias connected with Strader once again for his second touchdown of the day.

“Our defense got a stop, and on the next series Strader found the endzone,” Primavera said. “Frias hit Strader on a wheel route, and by that point, we knew our defense would be strong enough to secure the game for us.”

While the offense got rolling, the defense was just as fast, as Carson Boyll picked up his third interception of the season.

“He’s been so good at getting to the football and reading the quarterback’s eyes,” Primavera said. “On the interception, his receiver actually caught the ball and he went up and ripped it away and returned it for 21 yards and gave us great field position.”

The Spartans are back at home this weekend, as they look to stay undefeated against Scottsdale Christian academy.