Spartans clinch playoffs in another blowout

The pendelum swung again last Friday night for the Rosalia Spartans (4-2), taking part in another blowout -- 50-26 over Elgin -- to clinch a berth into the District 1B playoffs.

After a loss to Troy 52-6 and a 74-0 win over Oakville, Rosalia hosted Elgin, Ore. for its homecoming.

Blake Shelton led the Spartans with 161 yards rushing on seven carries for five touchdowns. Craig Nelson added 160 yards rushing on eight carries for two touchdowns.

In the air, quarterback Ryan Maley went six for nine for 44 yards.

Maley and much of the first team offense and defense left the game in the second quarter, when Rosalia led 50-12.

“There are a lot of things I learned from our younger guys,” said Spartans Coach Caleb Madison. “They were able to hold down a team. They were able to battle Elgin’s offense and defense.”

The win assures Rosalia entry into the playoffs, for which the independent team will play the fourth-place school from District 9, no matter how they finish their last two games.

Rosalia will play next at Tahola, located on the Quinault Indian Reservation north of Ocean Shores, Wash.

The bus leaves at 6:30 a.m. Friday morning.

“They’re fast, they love to hit the perimeter. They like to hit. Our kind of team,” said Madison. “We love that type of stuff as well.”