BY SCOTT
HADDOW
Even with a slew of frustrating injuries and players gone AWOL
due to work commitments, Sudbury Spartans head coach Chris
Bartolucci isn't making any excuses for his team's spiral down
the NFC standings.
The Spartans bandwagon was going full steam ahead after the
first three games which saw the team go 2-1 and create a lot of
positive buzz.
Then the wheels started to fall off, but despite riding on
the rims, the team has continued to persevere through the tough
times and now have two straight home games to make amends for a
lost promising season and grab a playoff spot.
On Saturday, the Spartans host the Toronto Maddogs at
Queen's Athletic Field. Game time is 1 pm.
The Spartans are 2-4 and are coming off a 37-7 loss to Sault
Ste. Marie last weekend.
The Maddogs are one of the NFC's best squads, with a 5-1
record. They have dominated other teams this season with a
suffocating defence.
The Spartans are holding onto fifth place in the
North/Central Division and are in a dog fight for the last
playoff spot with the Quinte-Limestone Panthers.
It goes without saying a win is needed, but it will not be
easy.
"We're still battling this injury bug...It's starting to
sound like an excuse," said the bench boss. "We're
short-staffed. Unless we get some guys back, it will be tough
to finish strong. We're staying positive though."
Sudbury doesn't expect the Maddogs to take them lightly.
"I don't expect any mercy at all," said Bartolucci. "Toronto is like sharks in the water...they smell blood and first place in the division. They will not come up here and just go through the emotions. We will have our hands full.
Hopefully we will have a few guys back from work commitments
and injuries, but, again, that's stuff we have to play
through."
The Spartans expect to rest starting quarterback Paul
Gauthier, the heart-and-soul of the offence, against Toronto.
He has a shoulder problem.
Reg Bonin, who played last week, should start. "Reg was a
little rusty last week," said Bartolucci. "He can do the job
and he has a great arm."
Bartolucci can take a loss, as long as his squad is making
improvements.
"We're not improving," said the coach. "That pisses me off.
We rose quickly early in the season, but then we plateaued. We
didn't make the next step. All the other teams caught up to us
and passed us. We're not a mystery anymore. We need to play
good, smart heads up football. It will take a total team
effort."
The Spartans know they will be tested. "Our whole offensive
line and our running backs are going to have to play very
well," said wide receiver Brandon Dougan. "Their defence and
linebackers come really hard. We will need some pass
protection. It's going to be a dog fight to the end."
It's an important time of the season with only two games
left and one playoff spot up for grabs.
"It's crunch time," said Dougan."
