by Andrew Mbow
The North Springs Spartans have had a reputation of being a “bad” football team. The Spartans posted a 5-35 record over the past for years. However, since hiring head coach Jeff Philip last year, the Spartans started to look better and better. With new offensive and defensive schemes, things began to look a lot different this year.
Under Coach Philips, the 2016 Tennessee State Coach of the year who also won 55 of his 83 games from 2017 to 2019 (including a 13-5 record in the playoffs spearheading the offense), things for the Spartans have started to heat up. Not only has the coaching helped the offense, but the defensive side is looking very strong. Defensive back coach Tiger Green (a former NFL safety for the Falcons and Green Bay for one and four years, respectively), and line coach Walter Vaughn (a former division one football player), our players’ techniques are looking better than ever.
Not only are the Spartans in good hands coaching-wise, but the players also are showing a great deal of talent. Star seniors Francisco Jacinto (WR, DB), Lee Levingston III (WR, DB), Isaiah Brice (SS, CB), Michael Johnson (SS), Orane Ivey Jr. (TE, DE), Charles Sewell (LB) and Anthony Young (QB) are extremely capable. Juniors Christopher Johnson (WR, TE), Zion Solomon (RB), David Miller (DE, G), Antwon Barnett (OT), Amon Watson (RB), and David Cooper (TE) have certain been a huge help for the offense. All these players show grit in their playstyles, and are determined to change the negative aura that surrounded North Springs football — and this determination has started to pay off!
At the start of the season, it looked like business as usual. On Friday, August 29th the North Springs Spartans took on the Dunwoody Wildcats at home for their first game of the year. In a heartbreaking loss, the Spartans lost the game 21-9. However, the Spartans were constantly game planning to get the upper hand on their opponent.
This inevitably paid off in the next game, as the Spartans took on the Riverwood Raiders on September 9th. The Spartans defeated the Raiders 28-14. This came after touchdowns from Jarquis Williams (Sophomore), Anthony Young (Senior), and Zion Solomon (Junior), as well as a 2-point conversion from Christopher Johnson (Junior). This was a huge win for the Spartans, as it was the first time in four years that the Spartans beat the Raiders. This was foretelling of a shift going on in Sandy Springs. However, Coach Phillips made sure to emphasize that more wins were to come, and to not dwell on this one success.
On Friday, September 2nd, the North Springs Spartans defeated the Riverwood Raiders 28-14. This only came after touchdowns from Jarquis Williams (Soph), Anthony Young (Sen), and Zion Solomon (Jun), as well as a 2-point conversion from Christopher Johnson (Jun). This was a huge win for the Spartans, as it was the first time in 4 years that the Spartans beat the Raiders. This is foretelling of a shift going on in Sandy Springs. However, Coach Phillips made sure to emphasize that more wins are to come, and to not dwell on this one success. How will the Spartans fair against MLK high school in their first away game on September 9th?
On September 9th, the Spartans squeaked a win past the MLK Lions on the road, on MLK’s home turf at William Buck Godfrey Stadium. They won via a walk off touchdown by senior quarterback Anthony Young, who had a stellar performance during the game. Defense was nothing but clutch the entire time, with Nick Cannon II being a star as a linebacker. This win was remarkable, as it was the first time in five years that the Spartans have won back-to-back games.
On September 16th, the Spartans smeared Midtown, pitching a shutout, 37-0 game at home. A halftime speech by coach Jeff Philips fired up the players after dropping only dropping 17 points in the first quarter and not scoring again for the rest of the half. The Spartans then put 20 more on the board in the 3rd quarter for a total of 37-0. This is the longest win streak that the Spartans have had since 2017. Another victory would make the longest winning streak for the Spartans in over 17 years!
Hurricane Ian was projected to reach Georgia on Friday September 30, meaning that the homecoming came had been rescheduled and moved up a day earlier, to September 29. That evening, the Spartans took on the Northview Titans at home. The game was kind of a snoozer, as they laid the Titans to rest 27-0, with the first points occurring early in the game. Nevertheless, it sealed that four-in-a-row winning streak, and gave the student and staff something to celebrate at Friday’s indoor pep rally–and a shine to homecoming weekend!
As the Spartans continue their historic win streak, will we begin to see more aggression towards them as they take on their region opponents? We will certainly find out as they take on Chattanooga next Friday 10/7. They will reach for for their second region win of the year, and possibly extending their winning streak to five in a row, the most since before 2004. In all, an amazing season full of surprises thanks to head coach Jeff Philips and what he has done to this team!
