The Maine-Endwell Spartans beat their opponents last year by an average of 24.1 points and beat Section IV opponents by an average of 26.2 points.  Yet, despite winning their 4th straight state title and their 51st straight win by season's end, Susquehanna Valley gave the Spartans two of their toughest games.

In Week 2 of the regular season, M-E beat SV 27-14 before beating the Sabers again in the Section IV Class B semis by a narrow 13-6.  M-E's margin of victory over SV last year, just 10 points.

While the Spartans blew away Corning in Week 1 this year for a NYS record 52nd straight win and then a 28-21 win over Two-Time Defending Class B State Champion Chenango Forks in Week 2, their Week 3 matchup against the Sabers is no easy task.

"They played us tough twice last year so I assume they're going to play us tough again this year," said Michael Palmer, M-E Senior WR/DB.  "We're definitely doing to need a good week of practice again and get after it on Saturday afternoon."

"They gave us two of our tougher games last year," said Spartans Head Coach Matt Gallagher.  "We know our schedule is tough and challenging, but I don't think we'd want it any other way, so we're going to be ready for SV."

But for the Sabers, after such a narrow defeat in last year's section semis, there would be nothing sweeter than putting an end to M-E's historic run.  But to do that, it'll take a hard week of practice.

"It's M-E, they're just another team, that's all we look at it as.  Just got to get faster, get off the ball harder and just do our jobs," said SV Senior RB/DB Kyle Novobilski.

"We obviously got to be very focused in practice this week.  Maine-Endwell, their record speaks for itself, so we just got to buckle up and be really focused next week," said Sabers Head Coach Mike Ford.

Kickoff between the Sabers and Spartans is set for 1:30 on Saturday at Susquehanna Valley.