Spartans keeping busy on the gridiron

TUSCOLA — The St. Joseph-Ogden football team took its first step to returning to dominance after a sub-par 2008 with a solid performance at the Tuscola 7-on-7 Tournament and Lineman Challenge Friday.

The Spartans went 2-1 in varsity 7-on-7 action with wins over Arthur and Arcola and a loss to Tuscola, and the SJ-O varsity line also took home a trio of lineman awards.

Considering this summer was the team’s first competing in offseason scrimmage activities, the Spartans felt the evening was a success.

“This was pretty fun, I liked it,” senior lineman Austin Griswell said. “I hope it’s something the football program does more in the future.”

SJ-O head coach Dick Duval thinks the 7-on-7 games have value, but only if used properly.

“If you stick to what you believe in and what you’re going to do in the regular season then I think they’re fine, but if you’re just doing it to win 7-on-7 games, then you’re really not helping yourself,” he said.

As a result, the Spartans tried to keep their play calling grounded, and Duval did see some positives.

“Our team chemistry seemed to kind of come together tonight and that’s a good thing,” he said. “Hopefully over the next 12 days we’ll be able to maintain that.”

Building a strong team chemistry before the season could be a huge benefit for the Spartans, who had their first .500 season of Duval’s tenure last year.

The Spartans’ players felt the 2008 team began to drift apart during the season, but said the early returns on this season’s squad are much better.

“Last year some of our kids didn’t really work during the summer and that killed us in the long run,” senior safety Lucas Gones said. “This year we’ve been working out more, and I think that’s going to help us.”

And the Spartans’ optimism wasn’t without reason. SJ-O picked up solid wins in its first two games of Friday’s 7-on-7 Tournament, losing only 14-3 to the host Warriors. The Spartans’ line also won the tug of war, tire flip and obstacle course, and finished second in the truck push.

“I’m really happy for (the line), because a lot of things we did tonight — like the tire flip — are things we have in our regular program,” Duval said. “It’s good for them to see we’re doing things that are helping us.”

But Duval said it’s important for the Spartans to remember that summer success doesn’t guarantee a successful fall. SJ-O will still need to hit the practice field hard when the IHSA season opens Aug. 12.

“There’s always a lot of things we need to work at and get corrected for us to be at a point where we can compete and be successful,” he said. “One thing I’ve said about this group is at least they’re always trying to do the right things, and that’s what it’s all about. If they do that, what more can I ask for?”