Spartans Become Iron Men & Clinch Playoff Spot!

 Note From The Editor:  And the amazing East Los Angeles Spartans  continue their incredible season with last week’s gigantic win over the Desert Vipers  in Twentynine Palms, CA as they clinched their second playoff  berth in the team’s short history. We encourage you to check out our write-up with post-game comments, and of course, the outstanding photo gallery that gives you a glimpse of the action. We also briefly mention the loss to the High Desert Rams  on 4/4. Wth this posting we are on target to get Fans a recap of several games that we were unable to post in a timely manner. Thanks for your patience!

Unfortunately, the 4/4/15 road game versus the High Desert Rams  in Victorville, resulted in a 40-24 defeat. So much for the loss, but another big lesson learned, and much taken from the game itself.

Now it’s time to turn our attention to last week’s major road victory in Twentynine Palms  vs the Vipers.  The true definition of who a Spartan is was on full display in this match-up. Eleven Spartans strapped on their game armour and then went out to do“gut-checking”  battle. They played 60  minutes of “Iron Man”  football as they took center stage in this PACWEST  league match-up to see who would prevail with a win and an eventual playoff bid. A ton was on the line. The odds were were not in favor of player/owner, Niko Gonzalez  and his band of mighty Spartans, but no regrets were offered. Niko stepped up huge again and played in his second consecutive game as an explosive offensive tackle and a steel-curtain defensive end. As you can see, the team motto of “One Team-One Mission,”  still resonates strongly with the players, and of course, the owner himself.

Player Highlights From Vipers Game: (Offense): #81 Michael Rivera/4 TD catches; #00 Armon Star/1 TD reception; #7 Harold Arnold/Passed for 5 TDs; #2 Mike Quinonez/2 big 20 yd. + catches keeping crucial drives alive; #23 Rico Gonzalez/50 yds. rushing; #43 Marcus Rojas/40 yds. rushing. (Defense): #23 Rico Gonzalez 2 INTs; #7 Harold Arnold  & #81 Michael Rivera 1 INT each; and  #77 Niko Gonzalez 1 fumble recovery.

Salute To The 11 Spartans/Iron Men: #23 Rico Gonzalez; #81 Mike Rivera; #43 Marcus Rojas; #00 Armon Star; #7 Harold Arnold; #33 Edgar Rosales; #94 Pablo Gonzalez; #63 Joshua Hernandez; #50 Jovanni Mejia; and #2 Mike Quinonez.

These are Niko’s brief post-game comments: “We played the Vipers  after a three-hour drive, got a little rest before the game, and then went out and just beat them, 34-32. We accomplished this with only 11  SPARTANS who played the entire game. True Iron Man football, knowing that they had 45  players suited up. It was an incredible game and a monumental victory for us. With this victory, we clinched our second consecutive playoff spot.” Niko closed his remarks by adding, “We’re so grateful that we achieved our goal of making the playoffs, but even better, we’re proud to give back to our community for the strong support they’ve shown us all season. There’s still more Spartan football ahead and a possible run to the PACWEST  League Championship. What a great way to wind up our first complete season representing, and playing in East L.A.”  Go Spartans!!  Rico Cabrera, Sr./Editor, EastLASportsScene.Com

Next Up: The Santa Clarita “Skyhawks” on Saturday, 4/18 at Roosevelt HS, 7 p.m. Kick-off.

Special Game Promotion Night: All Pop Warner & Youth Football players and teams wearing their jerseys will be admitted FREE. Come out and see the Spartans last official Home game of the season. They have earned a playoff spot and we will inform all Fans of the date, the opponent and the location in our next update.

Credits: Photo Gallery, Richie Subintr, Official Photographer, East L.A. Spartans; Player Highlights & Acknowledgments, Niko Gonzalez.

Photo Gallery: To enhance a photo, just click once on your selection.

     GO SPARTANS!!