It’s no secret that the Spartans went years without a win against South County (SoCo), but now the script is changing.
A 16 year losing streak was snapped in the first round of the regional playoffs last year, with West Springfield triumphantly winning at home by over 25 points.
“It felt great beating [SoCo] last year. Everybody was talking online before that game,” said WSHS’s senior lineman Ayaan Mirza. “We came in very confident. We backed that up.”
A game regularly surrounded by drama is more important to win than just a normal game.
“I think it’s very important to win,” said South County sophomore linebacker Uriah Martin, “I can say that on behalf of a lot of the players on our team.”
The importance of winning a game against his rival looms over many Spartans players as well.
“It’s so important [to win this year] as we beat South County last year, we have to continue winning over and over again,” said sophomore Spartan quarterback Issa Owens, “We’re gonna do our job and get out [of the game] with a win.”
Yet, whether the rivalry is truly back is up for debate, as in the past, the Spartans have faced trouble against SoCo, losing by 38 points in 2021.
“It’s not a rivalry,” Stallions junior receiver Thomas Powell put simply.
“[West Springfield has only] won one game in 12 years.”
The Stallion-Spartan relationship goes beyond high school, for the bordering boundaries between WS and South County neighborhoods lead to close relationships between players.
“There is a lot of passion between both schools, being historically good football programs who always clash and players playing with each other in youth leagues.” said Spartans senior lineman Micah Dargan-Coley.
Even with this history, confidence is soaring among the Spartans, as they feel past records do not define what one can accomplish.
“The way I see it, I cannot control what past teams did,” said Dargan-Coley, “All I know is the team that’s playing this year is the team that beat them by 30 points 11 months ago.”
With hopes high after last year’s win, Spartans players believe they are prepared for a competitive rivalry.
“I think that everyone’s more focused on how, in the past years, South County have won and we’ve lost,” said Spartans Senior Linebacker Zachary Norton, “…But the tables are turning and we’re becoming a better team, and we’re striving to win.”
The tenacity that is needed to win in a game against the Stallions, who were 1-2, was not lost on the Spartans.
“Every single game we’re playing to win, so we’re coming in with that mindset.” said Mirza, “If not, then why are we playing?”
