Spartans schooled by 2007 champs

Pointing to a scoreboard that read a final score of 34-8 in favor of the opposition, East Nicolaus head coach Mark Varnum delivered a simple, yet poignant message to his players.

"Monday morning I want you to think about how you feel right now," he said. "I hope you flush all that garbage out of your systems."

In their final game before the start of the postseason, the Spartans (5-5, 5-2) were given a harsh lesson in what it will take to succeed in the Division III Northern Section playoffs by falling hard to defending section champion Hamilton High.

"We're going to face some tough teams in the playoffs," East Nicolaus wide receiver Jessee Gardner said. "We have to come out better next time. This time we came out a little flat."

That flatness was taken advantage of by the Braves (8-2, 6-1) on the game's first drive. A short kickoff put the ball at Hamilton's own 47-yard line and the Braves methodically moved the ball down the field behind the rushing ability of Omar Diaz, who's gave Hamilton a first and goal at the 7-yard line.

What followed was a great defensive stand by the Spartans that proved to be fruitless after Hamilton quarterback Brad Loshe dove into the end zone from the 2-yard line on a questionable call that easily drew the ire of Varnum.

"How do you know he didn't roll into the end zone?" Varnum audibly yelled after a delayed touchdown call quelled a celebration by the East Nicolaus defensive line who throughout they had stopped the mobile quarterback.

It would only get worse for the Spartans as mistakes plagued the offense and Hamilton was consistently able to capitalize off solid field position via East Nicolaus fumbles and short punts. East Nicolaus quarterback Andrew Rubalcava took the brunt of the punishment from a blitz-happy Hamilton squad which employed Loshe not only as a signal caller but as a pile-driving outside linebacker. Led by Loshe, the Braves were able to bring down the usually-solid Rubalcava 10 times for a total loss of 50 yards.

"Tonight the showed a mix on some blitzes and we had a breakdown on our line," Rubalcava said, who also placed the blame on himself. "I need to get rid of the ball sooner, I need to read the coverage's faster."

Despite taking half of those sacks in the second half, Rubalcava still was remarkably better after halftime. He finished with a 105 yards on 6-of-8 passing with a perfectly-placed 20-yard strike to a double-covered Gardner for the Spartans lone touchdown.

Even with the marked improvement in the second half, the game was already out of reach for the Spartans, who were behind 31-0 before the Spartans even put their first points on the board.

Diaz finished with 127 yards rushing and a 9 yard TD reception and Oscar Oineda, who Varnum described as "having one of the best legs in the state" split the uprights on four field goals for the Braves.

But regardless of the outcome and the displeasure of having their senior day spoiled by the Braves, the Spartans still remained upbeat about a season that started out 0-3 and began with the modest goal of finishing just .500 in league.

"I'm just proud of the kids and what they've been through," Varnum said. "They've accomplished so much."