Spartans fall short in opener

IMLAY CITY — Imlay City kicked off the 2024 campaign with a 26-21 road loss to Hazel Park in a non-league varsity football confrontation last Thursday night.

“Both teams played a tough game,” Imlay City Coach Dave Brown commented. “We got down and battled back,” he noted.

“Our kids never gave up. We had a chance at the end, but didn’t finish.”

In Thursday’s confrontation, Imlay City took a 7-0 edge after one quarter was over with.

The middle two quarters saw Hazel Park generate 20 total points and Imlay City manage seven. That left them holding a 20-14 cushion with 36 minutes gone.

Hazel Park, then withstood a 7-6 final quarter rally to prevail 26-21.

Imlay City amassed their 21-point total aided by a Tanner Land 15-yard touchdown run (followed by a successful extra point kick courtesy of Andrew Cezik); a Land 12-yard touchdown run (followed by an accurate extra point kick from Cezik); and a Land six-yard touchdown run (followed by a successful extra point kick courtesy of Cezik).

For the night, Matt Evans completed six of 10 pass plays for 44 yards as Imlay City’s quarterback. He threw one interception along the way.

His successful tosses went to three different targets. Their ranks consisted of Travis Tramontana (three catches for 13 yards), Noah Graboyes (two catches for 19 yards) and Trace Dennis (one catch for 12 yards).

The Imlay City ground attack managed 227 yards on 40 totes.

Land (27 rushes for 159 yards) and Cezik (41 yards on seven totes) led Imlay City. The remaining six Spartan rushes resulted in a combined 27-yard gain.

Cezik (six stops) along with Land and Evans (four each) contributed Imlay City’s highest tackle outputs. Brian Patrick, Kaden Powers and Tramontana (three stops apiece) supported their performances.

Land added an interception to Imlay City’s cause.

Imlay City will look to bounce back this Friday when Blue Water Area Conference rival Almont pays a visit. That matchup lists a 7 p.m. starting time.