The Sudbury U16 Jr Spartans pounded it home from short yardage while the U18 team came up just a little short against a very tough opponent as the pair of local OSFL (Ontario Summer Football League) kicked off their summer of 2025 schedules.

Scoring three majors on runs from less than five yards out, the U16 Jr Spartans leaned heavily on an offensive line that opened up holes for the likes of Levin Blouin and Bennett Timmers and a defensive unit that pitched a shutout in game one as Sudbury blanked the North Bay Bulldogs 28-0.

The wheels were set in motion right off the opening drive as the Jr Spartans marched the field and broke the ice on the scoreboard when quarterback Evan Demarchi snuck through from the two.

A blocked point after was rendered inconsequential when Sudbury kicker Dominic Quintana drilled his ensuing kickoff 55 yards through the end zone for a single.

A Levi Blouin touchdown from one yard out doubled the advantage at the half before the talented speedster made it a pair of TDs in quarter three (15 yard run) and QB Kade Campbell closing out the scoring, also on a run from the five.

"I'm going to give some love to the O Line," said head coach Dan Yoisten, picking up a win in his debut with this crew. "They did a really good job of opening up some holes for the guys."

Defensively, the shutout was nice but Yoisten knows full well this is still a work in progress.

"The defense showed a lot of potential but there is still a lot of room for growth," said Yoisten. "With this being our first game, we made some mistakes - but some of our players, just because of their speed, could make up for those mistakes."

In terms of a breakthrough game, the retired police officer very much liked what he saw in one of his returning defensive lineman.

"Maddox Preston was a star," said Yoisten. "He had a couple of sacks, some good tackles for loss. The whole D line played well. Our big boys showed up and played."

Yoisten also noted the effort of defender / punt returner Deran Cooper and slotback James Alabi as the locals now prepare to face the Huronia Stallions Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. at the James Jerome Sports Complex.

Meanwhile, the U18 Jr Spartans took to the road last weekend, battling a Scarborough Thunder team that competed in the "AAA" bracket last year (but opted to join the Jr Spartans and others in "AA" play this summer).

Scarborough prevailed 20-19 as a late fumble recovery by the visitors was overturned on a "downed by contact" call, leaving the U18 Jr Spartans just a point away from the tie.

Quarterback Noah Parsons threw for a pair of majors, 30 yards to Steven Sola and 35 yards to Quin Mazzuchin and running back Mason McLaughlin steamed in from the one to account for the bulk of the Sudbury scoring.

Unfortunately, the team would convert on only one of three point after attempts as Braedan Beggs rounded out the scoring.

The elder Spartans will also face Huronia at home on Saturday, with kickoff set for 4:00 p.m.