Stratford @ Ike

[78 Spartan]

Don't know if it will take a big win over Ike to generate some attention for Stratford, or whether they'll have to run the table to get the love from this board that I think they deserve. Perhaps even that plus an upset win over a 17-5A or 18-5A team in the playoffs.

For the record, I think they'll end up 8-2 this year, the Spartans should be narrow favorites over Ike, Nimitz, MacArthur and Memorial, but it will be tough for them to win them all.

We've been off the radar screen for so many years, but the future is looking pretty bright for a Spartan resurgence over the next several years.

[bobcatDL07]

very good passing team indeed

[CyFallsMom]

I don't think it's Stratford that's not getting the respect Spartan - I think it's the district they are in. It hasn't had respect in years but I remember when it was a powerhouse and when Stratford was a consistent playoff contender (when I never missed a game!). It's been a while but you all will be there in the playoffs, possibly as district champs. Memorial should be there too but they seem to be in a slump of sorts. However that Memorial/Stratford game will have a little extra kick to it this year! You are one of the very few people I have ever seen on here talking about Stratford (or any SB school) besides myself..maybe that tide will turn and you can get some more fans talking about them. If not, I'll always discuss your games with you:) . I only saw you guys in your first game so I'm looking forward to seeing you all now that you are a little more seasoned.

[FeeltheHaka]

Having gone to the Stratford/Aldine game, I can say that Stratford has a good team. Andrew Luck is nothing short of incredible. If Stratford's recievers can hold on to the ball, and the defense can make some adjustments when the offense goes in motion; Stratford could be a top 15 team. Their running back Brandin Carlin is also very good, and I'm surprised he does not get any mention. I bet they beat Aldine Ike by 14.

[mustang man]

stratford is a talented team but wheres the beef,I mean defense.all there wins are shoot outs,how far can that take you???????? to say the district is down,compared to What, pasadena isd. clear creek isd,Hisd?????there are several district 19 teams that woud do well in most districts in the houston area.We are down only in comparison to our former glory. but you will see much improvement this year and perhaps 2 more in dtrict 19-5a

[78 Spartan]

However that Memorial/Stratford game will have a little extra kick to it this year!

Yes, it will be fun. Stratford always fills its side of Tully Stadium for Memorial no matter what our record is. If Memorial is having a good year they can get their side about 60% full, they can't seem to get their community out of the cocktail parties at the racquet club to get to the game. I guess Memorial people just have better options for entertainment than we have.

Which is too bad, because Memorial's teams have been deserving of better support in recent years.

Anyway, it would be nice if both teams got there 6-0 in district and the game would be for all the marbles. But there is a lot of work to do before we start dreaming about that.

[mustang man]

touche'

[bobcatDL07]

stratford held the cy fair bobcats to their lowest score of the season

[cfbobcat]

Luck was a stud against Cy-Fair. I know the Spartans lost but the kid kept fighting. He never seemed to lose his composure. I hear he is a pretty good basketball player too.

[texasboy]

what is ike's record

[78 Spartan]

what is ike's record

Ike is 1-4, but the losses are to Humble (5-0), North Shore (5-0), Lufkin (5-0) and a rapidly improving Memorial team (2-3). Don't let the record fool you, this Ike team can beat Stratford. But I don't think they will.

G.A.T.A.!

[78 Spartan]

Luck was a stud against Cy-Fair. I know the Spartans lost but the kid kept fighting. He never seemed to lose his composure. I hear he is a pretty good basketball player too.

This is one of those kids who could excel in four sports and then go out and shoot a low-80s round of golf without any practice. He is a great athlete.

[78 Spartan]

Stratford passed a very important test tonight. This game was closer than the final score would indicate. The Ike ballclub was determined to out-physical the Spartans and they blitzed Andrew Luck often and knocked him around a good bit even after he got the ball away.

Ike has a big strong O-line and they started to wear on Stratford in the second quarter. Halftime score was 14-10 Stratford and going into the fourth quarter it was 20-12 Stratford (Ike blocked our PAT and took it the other way for 2). Ike's game plan was to blitz Luck, and to control the clock, which they pretty much did.

It was tense really until about 5 minutes to go in the 4th when Luck had his second 50-ish yard TD run of the night to break it open.

Luck's passing yardage was down, probably around 180-200 yards, and he threw one TD and had one pass picked. Ike's blitzes really got him out of rhythm and slowed down the Stratford passing game, but we beat their blitz for three long TD runs up the middle (one by Luck, two by Brandon Carlin). Then Luck's second long TD run came on the Urban Meyer spread option keeper.

This will sound like a cliche, but that Ike team is the best 1-5 team around. Their five losses are against teams with a total of 4 defeats (and all respectable defeats, look them up). They hung with Stratford all night, and they did it with their second QB (the first team QB hurt his ankle on the first series). They hit like freight trains. Ike's secondary can really bring the lumber and as a result, Stratford receivers alligator-armed a few balls over the middle that should have been caught.

Eisenhower will make the Div 1 playoffs and if they catch a soft team they are going to mug the hell out of them. I predict they will win out and finish 5-5 (which in this silly UIL D1 / D2 concept will be good enough for playoffs for a lot of teams this year).

But we did some hitting, too, and this was probably the best defensive effort of the year against a team that can really run the ball. Ike's last TD came while we were playing a soft zone and they alley-ooped one into the end zone where their big WR outjumped our little DB for the ball.

As I said, the Spartans passed a big test tonight against a tremendously physical team. Our guys will wake up tomorrow very sore -- even more so than they did after Cy Fair -- but they will wake up a 5-1 team that controls its destiny in 19-5A.

G.A.T.A.!

[dada]

Congrats to Stratford.......MAN who would have ever thought that IKE would be a garunteed(sp) win for the Spring Branch Schools.....wow....what happened

[CyFallsMom]

Congrats to all the Spartans on the win - 5-1 WOW!! When was the last time Stratford has had this kind of season. I'm thinking not since the Oscar Cripps era! Good Luck!! You guys are on your way.

[bobcatDL07]

i told u they were gooooood :) good luck on the season stratford

[78 Spartan]

Congrats to Stratford.......MAN who would have ever thought that IKE would be a garunteed(sp) win for the Spring Branch Schools.....wow....what happened

If you ask the Stratford kids, there was nothing at all guaranteed about that win. It was a very competitive game and could have gone the other way had Luck and Carlin not made some big plays.