Fox 40 Goes to Camp: This is Sparta!

When talking about Section IV Football, the cream of the crop in recent years has been the Maine-Endwell Spartans.  Not only have they won back-to-back-to-back State Titles, but they haven't lost a game in that span.  The Spartans own the state's longest active win streak, entering week one at 38, and are 17 games away from tying the longest streak in NYS history, Section 10's Massena won 55 in a row ending in 1957.  Even another undefeated season this year would not allow them to break that record this year, but next year is not out of the question.

However, to accomplish what no other school in New York State history has done, win four straight state titles, the Spartans will have to fill some major gaps.  With high school sports comes the ever present issue of graduation.  All schools lose players every year, and those that left M-E last year were a big part of their state title runs.  Quarterback Kyle Gallagher, Fullback Darnell Woolfolk, Wide Receivers Alec Wisniewski and Jake Sinicki, among other major contributors are no longer at Head Coach Matt Gallagher's disposal.  This year, another Kyle, Kyle Balmer, will be taking the majority of the snaps under center after seeing limited time at QB last year.  Matt Gallagher will also rely on his middle son, wide receiver Adam, to step into the leadership role vacated by his older brother.  Despite the massive turnover, the returning Spartans have been working hard ever since the end of last season, lifting, running, and waiting for the chance to take the field and begin their quest for a 4th straight title.

The Spartans start their season with a tough test in week one as they travel to Ty Cobb Stadium on Saturday, September 6th to take on the Union-Endicott Tigers.