Spartans hold firm early before Humboldt pulls away for 62-0 win

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“Even though the score was lopsided, I thought we played fairly well on defense,” Ethier said.

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Spartans hold firm early before Humboldt pulls away for 62-0 win

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The Spartans later lost outside containment with their defensive ends twice, allowing Humboldt to break away for long touchdown runs. Ethier said the team otherwise showed improvement in one of its biggest areas of emphasis.

“We are so much better at tackling than we were a year ago,” he said. “It’ll still be a focus point because it’s probably the most important aspect of the game, but we are doing so much better with us.”

The loss also gave Carpenter examples it could bring back to the practice field. During a film session, coaches highlighted Humboldt receivers blocking downfield on screen plays and all nine defenders pursuing the football on each play.

“So it was good to be able to show them that and show them what elite football looks like,” Ethier said.

Despite a difficult start to the season, Ethier said morale remains high among players who understand their role in building the program.

READ MORE: ‘Iron sharpens iron’: Spartans find progress despite 71-0 loss to start season

“They are concentrated purely on getting better every week and they understand that they’ll be setting the tone for the future of this program,” he said.

Carpenter will next face JP II Crusaders on Sept. 10 at John Paul II Collegiate in North Battleford.

“They’re going to come out hard,” he said. “They’re another good team and they’re coming off a tough loss to Kindersley, so they’re going to come out looking to prove themselves.”

Ethier identified Crusaders’ athletic quarterback and its No. 87, who plays tight end and receiver, as the primary challenges for Carpenter’s defence.

On the other side of the ball, he expects them to crowd the line of scrimmage with a six- or seven-player box in an effort to stop the run. That will require the Spartans to find success through the air before creating more room for their ground game.

“We’re going to have to be able to throw the ball and force them into a look that they don’t want to be in so that we can run the ball later in the game,” Ethier said.

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Kenneth.cheung@pattisonmedia.com