Coach Marvin Justice said he started thinking about Athens Academy by halftime of his Tigers’ 42-0 rout over Riverside Military Academy last week.
Continuity is what makes the Spartans dangerous, the Commerce coach said, with veteran coach Michael Gunn having led the team for more than 20 years.
During that time the Spartans have employed the same offense, which features a balance between the passing and running games. Athletes there are also known for their execution, Justice added.
He sees similarities to his Commerce team, which will host the Spartans in a key Region 8-A contest on Friday.
“They are kind of like us, if they can establish the run game, then they’ll run the ball 80-90 percent of the time,” Justice said.
What is unusual about this year’s Athens Academy squad (4-2 overall, 1-2 in the region) are the Spartans’ two hiccups in region play, including back-to-back losses to Prince Avenue Christian and George Walton.
“Both of those games were closer than the score indicated,” Justice said. “I think this game will come down to the team that makes the least amount of mistakes.”
If last week’s performance against Riverside is any measure, Commerce (3-3, 2-0) has learned how to avoid mistakes while tightening its game.
First-half statistics detail the runaway with the Tigers accruing 278 yards on offense to Riverside’s 52. All of the Eagles’ positive yardage resulted from their pass attack, with Commerce’s defense holding Riverside to -20 rushing yards in the half, which ended 35-0.
Quarterback Cody Streetman led the team with three running touchdowns, and 127 yards rushing. Drew Whitfield, Chance McClure and Trey Grier also scored on run plays for the Tigers. And Josh Swistak was perfect on extra point attempts.
Garrett Wilson led the team in receiving, catching the only two completions for 56 yards. Streetman’s 73-yard touchdown run was his longest of the night and season.
“It was a good feeling to finally break one,” Streetman said.
On defense, McClure and Tony Patman each made six tackles and a sack. Sam Lewis also led the team in tackles with five.
Jamir Walton, whose stellar interception and 42-yard return helped put away Riverside in the first half, said he and his teammates have started to take coaches’ messages to heart.
Dillion Haggard, who was responsible for two of Commerce’s five sacks on the night, added: “Our plan was just to get pressure on them. We knew they were going to pass the football. We’re all finally starting to come together as a team.”
NOTE: The Commerce win against Riverside Military last Friday night was the 550th win for the Tigers since football first commenced in the city in 1909. The total record for the Tigers over the last 102 years is 550-273-22. Commerce ranks 20th in the state of Georgia in total wins by a high school in football.
