BY SCOTT
HADDOW
When the dust settled on the Sudbury Spartans 2006 season,
despite a 41-14 loss in the first round of the play offs to
Milton last week, the players held their heads up high.
They had good reason.
The Spartans were the doormat of the NFC last season, going 0-8
and the butt-end of numerous jokes.
Even with a glimmer of hope entering this season thanks to a
new head coach, Chris Bartolucci, many around the league
expected another tumultuous season in the Nickel City.
Sudbury made plenty of noise and moved in the right direction
by going 3-5 and earning a coveted play off spot.
The fairly successful season has raised hopes up even more in
Spartan land. Bartolucci gave praise to his squad, which
routinely battled injuries and low numbers all season to bring
the team back to the fringes of glory.
"I set four objectives for the team at the start of the year,"
said the bench boss. "One, I didn't want us to go winless in
the first three games...we went 2-1, so they achieved it.
Second, I wanted us to win the north...we beat North Bay, but
lost to Sault Ste. Marie, so we did half of that goal. Third, I
wanted us to win on the road...it didn't happen and there are
no excuses, we just didn't do it. Fourth, I wanted us to make
the play offs and we did. I am happy with accomplishing
two-and-a-half goals out of four. I couldn't ask for a better
group of players. The young guys sure can learn a lot from the
veterans on how to be committed to playing."
The Spartans soaked up the experience.
"There were some highs and lows this season," said kicker
Richard Eldridge. "The positives outweighed the negatives
though. This was the kind of season we needed. It rejuvenated a
lot of people and I see a lot of guys coming back.
Having a coach that knows what he's doing really made a difference."
Injuries became the Achilles Heel of the Spartans. Frequently,
the squad fielded 30 players, compared to the 45 to 60-man
rosters fielded by their opponents. Games became wars of
attrition that the Spartans, without depth, couldn't
overcome.
"It was a frustrating year with the injuries," said Bartolucci.
"The boys put up a valiant effort against Milton, but it just
wasn't enough. We needed more players and depth to
compete."
Sudbury showed the league they will no longer be a doormat.
"This team showed there's a lot of potential," said offensive
guard Pat Walsh. "The guys showed they can compete, and
hopefully, they can build off it for next year. It was a
successful season and we are happy for our fans."
Bartolucci says the Spartans' players deserve full marks for
their gutsy efforts, but it will take a bigger, even more
concentrated effort next season to move forward.
"This team took a step in the right direction this year," said
Bartolucci. "They have to take another big step to compete for
the league championship. We will need more players to do it,
especially considering we will lose at least 10 guys. We hope
to get a good draw from the Sudbury Northerners. We need to
build the football base and talent pool here in Sudbury to feed
the Spartans...to be more successful."
Local football fans don't have to wait a whole year for NFC
action. The second annual NFC All-Star Game will be contested
at Queen's Athletic Field on Sept. 9.
There should be a few Spartans players in the game, such as Dan
Leduc, who finished second overall in NFC rushing (454 yards)
while playing out of position (wide receiver to tail back).
