Pivotal test awaits Spartans

Not many expected Mountain Brook to knock off Hoover last week, but this week presents a challenge for the Spartans that they need to capitalize on.

In order to make the playoffs out of Class 7A, Region 3, the Spartans must finish in the top half of the eight teams in the region. An 0-2 start after this week’s game against Thompson would make the mountain that much more difficult to climb.

The Warriors (2-0) have begun to turn the corner in Mark Freeman’s third season at the helm, and have knocked off Godby (FL) and Tuscaloosa County to start the season.

Mountain Brook comes into the contest at 2-1 overall, but fell in its region opener against the Bucs. The Spartan defense bent and never broke, holding Hoover to four field goals in a 19-3 defeat. Unfortunately, the offense gained just 102 total yards and six first downs.

Standout running back Harold Joiner got some tough yards but was unable to break out for a gain longer than eight yards. He finished with 50 yards on 18 carries, an average of 2.8 yards per carry.

The Spartan offense will be tested by a Warrior defense that allowed just three points against Tuscaloosa County last Friday.

The running back tandem of Corey Burroughs and Shadrick Byrd, with former star back Carlos Stephens now at UAB, leads Thompson’s offense, as the Warriors gained over 220 yards on the ground last week.

Mountain Brook won the first two games of the season in varying fashion, a blowout win over Gulf Shores and a tight game to top Helena. With a loss under their belts, the Spartans will get a chance to respond to the first adversity they have faced this season.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. inside Spartan Stadium on Friday night.