Thomas Jefferson’s Spartans consider themselves a better football team than the group that lost to suburban powers Columbine and Monarch by an aggregate score of 82-7 to open 2009.
In fact, they consider themselves the better for it.
TJ may have a point after its 42-6 decision over Hinkley on Saturday afternoon at a frosty All-City Stadium. The Spartans improved to 4-2 overall and sit atop the Class 5A Central Metro League at 4-0.
“We’re progressing very well,” Spartans coach Tim Owens said. “We had a slow start, but we think we’re moving up. We learned from those (first two) games.”
No learning curve was needed Saturday as the Spartans rushed for five touchdowns, threw for another and displayed lots of defense.
Matt Averyhart, Jamie Redd and Billy Sprague each scored two touchdowns for TJ, with Sprague, an all-stater by The Denver Post a year ago, showcasing his all-around skills.
The senior, who has a 4.7 grade-point average and ranks fourth in his class, ran 11 yards for a touchdown from his slot position and added a 47-yard reception for another.
“I was super-excited when they called that play, and I got some good blocks,” said the 6-foot-1, 220-pounder.
Also a stellar linebacker, Sprague counts Colorado State, Kansas and Princeton among his most prominent recruiting suitors and believes in the direction the Spartans are going.
“I’m liking the way our team’s heading,” he said. “We’re putting everything together right now.”
Sprague also suffered a sprained left MCL late. He said he’s questionable next weekend against George Washington but will definitely be back in Week 8 against Gateway.
“A lineman rolled over my leg when I stood somebody up, but we have a lot of linebackers to step up and play,” Sprague said.
TJ led 20-0 at halftime, used a 22-point barrage early in the third quarter to force the mercy rule (running clock after a 40-point differential) and generally was able to remain upright on a slippery surface.
Redd used a 35-yard burst late in the first quarter to open the scoring. He added a 7-yarder in the third quarter. Averyhart showed off breakaway speed on scoring runs of 48 and 61 yards and paced all rushers with 127 yards on just eight carries.
“We’re trying to fix the things we do incorrectly,” Owens said.
The Spartans held the Thunderbirds (2-4, 1-3) to 78 yards rushing and 117 total yards.
“We have a lot of young guys and first-year guys, but we’ll be OK,” Hinkley coach Bob Bozied said.
Hinkley 0 0 0 6 — 6
Thomas Jefferson6 14 22 0 — 42
TJ — Redd 35 run (kick failed). TJ — Sprague 11 run (Sanchez kick). TJ — Averyhart 48 run (Sanchez kick). TJ — Averyhart 61 run (Sanchez kick). TJ — Sprague 47 pass from Jackson (Melnicoe pass from Jackson). TJ — Redd 7 run (Sanchez kick). H — Brown 2 run (kick failed).
Neil H. Devlin: 303-954-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com
