Spartans take big step towards hosting playoff game
The Summerside Waterwise Spartans have taken a big step towards hosting a playoff game.
The Spartans defeated the Charlottetown Privateers 24-6 on Friday night.
The win improved Summerside’s record to 3-2 (won-lost), and Charlottetown fell to 2-3.
Going into weekend action, the Cornwall Timberwolves were in first place at 4-0, and the Kings County Steelers were in fourth at 0-4.
The Spartans and Privateers are destined to meet in the Papa John’s P.E.I. Bantam Tackle Football League semifinal.
The second-place team will have home-field advantage.
At Eric Johnston Field, two rushing touchdowns — a 30yard effort by Ethan Haakman and a 40-yard scamper by Kieran Arsenault — staked the Spartans to a 12-0 lead at halftime.
Privateers quarterback Coady Gallant scored a touchdown on a 25-yard play to make it 12-6 after three quarters.
A four-yard run by Ben Murphy increased the Spartans’ lead to 18-6.
Haakman, who replaced an injured Riley Molyneaux at quarterback, connected with Zachary Blood for a 15-yard major to close out the scoring.
The Spartans remain home, and will entertain the Steelers at Eric Johnston Field on Friday at 6 p.m.
That game will be followed by the Papa John’s P.E.I. Varsity Tackle Football League contest between the Summerside Cooke Insurance Clippers (3-0) and the Souris Wildcats, who entered weekend play 0-2.
The Clippers had a bye last week.