Spartans offence breaks through in 74-14 loss to Kindersley

Kindersley jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter, but Carpenter responded after a timeout from the coaching staff.

Quarterback Kayl Solsten connected with Mason Rodriguez on a 67-yard pass to move the Spartans downfield before finding Cameron Bell for his first touchdown pass of the game, cutting the deficit to 21-7.

Carpenter then intercepted Kindersley and drove to the Kobras’ five-yard line before the end of the quarter. But on first-and-goal to begin the second, the Spartans fumbled and Kindersley returned it for a touchdown, extending its lead to 28-7.

“And then the wheels started to fall off a little bit there,” Ethier said.

Solsten later connected with Hunter Nachbaur for Carpenter’s second touchdown of the game.

Nachbaur also made an impact defensively, recording two interceptions, while Dylan Mutch added another as the Spartans forced three turnovers.

(Image Credit: Carpenter High School)

Ethier said Carpenter remained competitive through the early portion of the game against a Kindersley team he considers the strongest in the conference.

“Kindersley is the best team in our conference right now, in my opinion, and we played a really competitive game with them for a quarter and a half,” he said.

The coach pointed to Carpenter’s offensive line as one of the biggest reasons for the improvement. He said the group responded after struggling earlier in the season.

“And then this game, they really came out of their shells and they blocked really well,” Ethier said. “So that’s probably our biggest improvement right there was the offensive line.”

Carpenter finished with more than 250 yards of offence, according to Ethier. He said he believes, though has not confirmed, that the total was greater than what the Spartans had produced in all of their previous games combined.

“We came out really pass heavy and our kids caught the ball really well,” he said.

(Image Credit: Carpenter High School/Facebook – Just Enjoy Photography)

Solsten, a Grade 10 quarterback and one of the Spartans’ captains, has also taken on a larger leadership role as Carpenter’s offence develops.

“Man, that kid is going to do wonderful things in the next two years. And when he’s on the field as the quarterback, man, he is the field general that you want to see,” Ethier said of Sulston.

“He is the epitome of what a great high school football player looks like.

Ethier said the next challenge is sustaining the level Carpenter showed during stretches Friday. He pointed to the sequence after the Spartans cut the score to 21-7 and immediately forced a turnover as evidence the team can compete when its confidence holds.

“And that little bit of fear of failure is what we got to eliminate from our team right now,” he said.

“They’ve shown that they can play really good football with any team in this conference. We just need to get them believing that they can do it for four quarters.”

Ethier credited the players’ improvement to their work in practice and willingness to attend optional film sessions.

“The reason we’re getting better is 100% because of the efforts to the kids,” he said. “They show up when we have optional film sessions. They come to practice, they work hard every day, and they’re starting to see the benefits.”

Friday’s game also drew a large crowd to Lions Park. Ethier said the bleachers were packed and fans brought signs to support the team.

The event raised $903.85 for Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, almost double the amount raised at last year’s Meadow Lake fundraiser, according to Ethier.

Carpenter next faces John Paul II at Lion’s Park Oct. 1, a team the Spartans have already seen this season. Ethier said he has gone back to the film from their previous meeting and expects Carpenter to continue leaning on its passing game.

“Offensively, we’re going to have to come out and throw the ball really well again,” he said.

GAME 1: ‘Iron sharpens iron’: Spartans find progress despite 71-0 loss to start season

GAME 2: Spartans hold firm early before Humboldt pulls away for 62-0 win

GAME 3: Spartans break through for first touchdowns of season in loss to North Battleford

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com

by Kenneth Cheung

Spartans offence breaks through in 74-14 loss to Kindersley

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