Spartans prepare for showdown in Hamilton

After years of seldom hearing the phrase "big game" mentioned in connection with a Sudbury Spartans football encounter, the 2015 NFC (Northern Football Conference) schedule seems to have provided a steady diet of such contests for head coach Junior Labrosse and company.

With their sights still set on a possible first place finish in the NFC West Division, the 2-2 Spartans travel to Hamilton on Saturday to face a Steel City Patriots squad boasting an identical record.

The Patriots, however, have given up more points defensively than any other team in the league. The Sudbury aerial attack, which has shown signs of being very good, will need to enjoy a breakthrough game against an opponent that they came from behind to beat last summer.

As expected, the chemistry between Spartans' quarterback Travis Campbell and his receiving corps will require exquisite precision. "He's (Campbell) been playing with me and the other receivers for four or five years now, maybe six including the Gladiators," suggested St Charles College product James Howatt.

"He knows what we do, we know what he does, and we can translate that on the field for positive yards." At age 24 and a few years removed from his days as a Cardinal, Howatt senses a maturity in terms of his role as a receiver.

"We're given a lot more flexibility here with regards to the routes that we run," he said. "If I see a hole, I'm allowed to sit in it now as opposed to high-school or Gladiators, where you run the route you're told to run."

"The coaches understand that we have a lot of knowledge now, so they're letting us use that." There is also no denying that the Spartans have benefited from the absence of an NFC program in North Bay, inheriting some of the die-hards that will travel a few times a week or more to attend team practices an hour and a half away.

While most who come from the Gateway City are long-time diehard footballers, Englehart native Mark Hillock and his brother (Jesse) are relative newcomers to the sport, suiting up for a second straight year with the Spartans.

"I've always wanted to play, but my high school didn't have a football team," Hillock stated. Attending Canadore College (in North Bay) and competing on the varsity basketball team, the athletic 21 year-old is combining summer work in North Bay, with his new side hobby in Sudbury.

Not surprisingly, it has been something of a learning experience for the Spartans' defensive end. "My first game, I was like a deer in the headlights," he laughed. "You're not ready for in-game contact. I got pancaked a couple of times, but I kept getting back up."

Having now settled in, Hillock provides a nice counter-balance to all-star Joe Shyminsky at left defensive end, constantly mentored by tackle Kevin White, who has likely spent more summers in a Spartans uniform than Hillock has enjoyed in his entire life.

"I can jump, so I like batting the ball when the quarterback is throwing," said Hillock. "I love being physical, love hitting the quarterback and getting after him. We've got a really good group of guys here."

Kickoff for the Sudbury-Hamilton tête à tête is set for 6:00 p.m. on Mohawk Field #4. The Spartans return home on July 11th, hosting the Tri-City Outlaws at the James Jerome Sports Complex.