When your football team does well offensively and defensively, you have a good chance of winning the game.

When the team scores touchdowns on offense and defense, you certainly improve your chances.

In their home game against Lebanon on Friday, September 2, the Garden Spot Spartans scored two first-quarter touchdowns thanks to Blake Weaver. The 5-foot-11 senior put the Spartans on the board as he caught a 31-yard touchdown pass from Kye Harting. Later in the first quarter, he picked off an Emanuel Mason pass and returned it 22 yards to give Garden Spot a 12-0 lead.

The Spartans (2-0) defeated the Cedars 46-14 victory as Harting threw for 248 yards and four touchdowns. He connected with Zac Nagle six times for 99 of those 248 yards, including a 55-yard score in the third quarter.

"Kye was able to complete passes to eight different receivers," noted head coach Matt Zamperini. "Zac Nagle is our top receiver, but there are other quality kids we can throw the ball to. This puts defenses in a bind."

Weaver, who also had a rushing touchdown, caught six passes for 63 yards. He also carried the ball six times for 23 yards and a six-yard TD.

The array of pass catchers also included Diego Portales, whose 11-yard touchdown reception capped the scoring for the night. Trenton Hoober also had an 11-yard TD reception plus 34 rushing yards on two carries.

The Cedars scored on two big plays. In the first quarter, Mason broke into the open and dashed 57 yards for a touchdown. The two-point conversion cut the Spot lead to 12-8 going into the second period. Mason connected with Paul Trace on an 80-yard scoring pass in that second stanza.

"The Lebanon game had sloppy play on both sides," Zamperini said. "We were able to score a lot and bend a little but not break on defense."

FIELD HOCKEY

Lacey McCalicher's goal at the 10:50 mark of the first period came off a Lauren Horning assist. It was the only offense the Spartans needed to defeat Conrad Weiser 1-0 on Tuesday, September 6.

The shutout by goalie Kacey Miller improved the team's record to 3-1-0

"Kacey Miller is our new starting goalie after the graduation of our two goalies last year," head coach Katy Eby pointed out.

"This year we're excited to see a large group of returning seniors," she added. "Lauren Horning, Lacey McCalicher and Melanie Esh are the captains."

The Spartans' prior match was an overtime victory over Cedar Crest on September 2. After Esh had given Spot a 1-0 lead in the third quarter, the Falcons pulled even in the fourth, sending the game into extra time.

"It was a stressful game going into overtime," Eby said. "We dominated possession for most of the game but could not find the back of the net. Their goalie Hailey Newmaster played a great game."

Morgan Watt was able to get a shot past Newmaster for the game-winning goal in overtime.

BOYS' SOCCER

Garden Spot evened its record at 1-1-1 with a convincing 4-0 Section Two win at Solanco on August 31.

Keegan Redcay tallied two goals on the night while fellow senior Aiden Durante recorded a goal and an assist. Freshman Grant Burrell contributed with one goal while Emir Hmzic dished out one assist.

"Our team is anchored by a core of seniors - Aiden Durante, Kyle Humphreys, Keegan Redcay, Rowan Sensenig, Justin Minninger and Quentin Durante," said head coach Ken Herr. "We are led by captains Jace Weaver and Josh Martin."

Garden Spot stayed hot with a 3-2 victory over Twin Valley on September 2. Hamzic scored the eventual winning goal in the 72nd minute of the match. It came off a Gavin Andrews assist.

Earlier in the contest, Sensenig and junior Clydde Bowman scored for the Spartans, who improved to 2-1-1.

GOLF

In Section Three golf, the Spartans shot a 198 as a team at Pine Meadows on August 30. On the front nine, the top golfer was Ben Wilson of Lampeter-Strasburg, shooting a 38.

Garden Spot's top golfer on the day was Julian Storms with a score of 45. Dane Newswanger shot an impressive 46 while Ryan Chapin carded a 49.

Lila Albertson (53) and Evan Humphreys (58) rounded out the team scoring.

The Spartans fell to 0-15 on the year.

GIRLS' SOCCER

Twin Valley edged Garden Spot 2-0 on Friday, September 2 at New Holland. Aside from a three- minute period in the first half, the Spartans and goalkeeper Kylie Weinhold kept the Raiders in check.

The Spartans were coming off a 3-1 loss to Cocalico. Ashton Gonzalez scored for Spot 13 minutes into the second half.

CROSS COUNTRY

The Garden Spot boys and girls both fell to 1-0, each losing to Elizabethtown on Tuesday, September 6 in L-L League cross country.

The girls' team lost 15-49 with Julia Hoover leading Garden Spot at a 24:23 pace. She finished seventh in the race.

Gavin Riemers and Alan Krock led the boys' team with respective times of 18:14 and 18:24, finishing fourth and seventh. The E-town boys won by a 17-44 margin.

"I'm really proud to see the continued improvements of each individual on our team," head coach Traci Tempone remarked. "We are a young team with many new runners. I enjoyed watching them compete in their first official meet on Tuesday and look forward to seeing them grow throughout the year."

GIRLS' TENNIS

Sandwiched between a pair of losses, the girls' tennis team posted a 7-0 victory over Octorara on August 29. Along with the four straight set victories in singles play were dominant wins in doubles competition.

Meredith Horst and Natalie Wirta were 8-1 winners at number one doubles. Maggie Martin paired up with Lauren Pavelik for an 8-0 victory - the same margin of victory for Bella Robbins and Roxanne Avril.

GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL

The Spartans improved to 2-0 by beating Daniel Boone in three straight sets, 25-14, 25-20 and 25-18 on August 30. Avery Smith and Ashlynn Rapp both recorded seven kills with Rapp also registering two blocks.

Serving up three aces each were Valerie Martin, who also notched 12 digs, and Kayla Kauffman. Kauffman also distributed 19 assists.