FOOTBALL

Prep football: Joe Sparacio runs wild in FBA's spring rout of Village Academy

The First Baptist Academy lost several key players from last season’s district championship squad, including standout running back Jayce Howell and punishing linebacker Blaine Briggs.

But the cupboard is far from bare for the Lions, as the powerful Class 2A program tends to reload and not rebuild.

It certainly doesn’t hurt to have a bona fide Division I recruit as the top returning player, either.

Rising senior linebacker/running back Joe Sparacio showed off his skills on both sides of the ball during Friday night’s spring game against Delray Beach-Village Academy. Taking on a larger role in the backfield with Howell gone, Sparacio ran five times for 104 yards and two touchdowns, also making several tackles early on defensively in the Lions’ 36-6 rout.

First Baptist's Joe Sparacio (34) stiff arms Village Academy's Manshiny Lagurre (3) as he carries Corey Search (4) into the end zone in the first quarter against Village Academy at First Baptist Academy Friday, May 26, 2017 in Naples.

“I’ll probably have to play the running back position this year, which is great by me,” Sparacio said with a smile. “I’ve been going both ways since my freshman year, but the big difference is I’ll be playing running back (and linebacker) and not fullback or tight end. Running the ball will be a bit different, but I’m excited about it. It’s going to be a blast.”

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Sparacio, who has already received nine scholarship offers from Division I schools, showed the physicality he’ll bring to the position on his first touchdown run, a 28-yard burst where he bowled over would-be tacklers on his way to the end zone. He also showed he hasn’t lost that fullback mentality, blasting a defender out of the way to spring fellow running back Will Stearns for a 16-yard gain.

“It’s always fun making a big block,” Sparacio said. “Overall, I thought we did really well as a team tonight. We’ve been working hard all spring, and it always feels good to hit someone with a different uniform for the first time. I’m proud of everybody, starters, second string, everybody did good.”

Rivals.com lists Clemson, Michigan, Colgate, Boston College and UCF as schools Sparacio has received interest from.

 

First Baptist's Chad Hassey (58) brings down Village Academy quarterback Andre Davis in the first quarter against Village Academy at First Baptist Academy Friday, May 26, 2017 in Naples.

Cole Burlison, injured for much of last season, made his return as the starting quarterback and looked good in limited action. The rising senior completed 5 of 7 passes for 92, tossing a pair of touchdown strikes to receiver Zach West.

“Cole’s an awesome player. Everyone wants to play for him,” Sparacio said. “He’s a great kid, a great leader and a great quarterback with a really good arm. He brings a lot of energy to the team.”

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The defense also had a nice night, with Drew Smith recording a safety and the Lions forcing three turnovers.

Sparacio was excited for some of his teammates to get a shot at bigger roles, to fill the holes vacated by the graduating seniors.

“We definitely have that ‘next man up’ mentality here,” he said. “We had a lot of seniors leave, but a lot of kids stepped up this spring and they really showed it tonight that they can take over those starting positions and they’re not going to let us down.”

First Baptist's Zach West (5) and Mason Dean (86) celebrate after West scored a touchdown in the first quarter against Village Academy at First Baptist Academy Friday, May 26, 2017 in Naples.

Sparacio’s father, FBA coach Bill Sparacio, agreed with his son’s assessment.

“I was pleased with our guys. I thought they did a good job,” the coach said. “We’re young in a lot of spots, but some of the older kids who have some experience stepped it up. I think we’re going to be OK. We’re going to need to have a good summer.”

Coach Sparacio said he’d have to take a look at the film to get an overall evaluation of what the Lions did well and not so well, but he definitely liked his team’s intensity from the start.

“The kids were fired up before the game, getting the chance to play somebody else,” he said. “They played with a lot of good energy. They were there for each other, picking each other up. Just getting out here again was a lot of fun.”

FIRST BAPTIST ACADEMY 36,
VILLAGE ACADEMY 6

Scoring

FBA        15           21           0             0             -              36

VA          0             0             6             0             -              6

First quarter

FBA – Safety, Lorvens Florestal tackled by Drew Smith in end zone, 10:07

FBA – Joe Sparacio 28 run (Austin White kick), 2:50

FBA – Zach West 54 pass from Cole Burlison (kick failed), :21

Second quarter

FBA – Joe Sparacio 30 run (Austin White kick), 9:41

FBA – Zach West 9 pass from Cole Burlison (Austin White kick), 9:04

FBA – Austin Edie 1 run (Austin White kick), 1:55

Third quarter

VA – Cameron Baldwin 71 pass from Andre Davis (pass failed), 4:30

 

Spring football

Thursday, May 18

Miami-Carol City 64,  Immokalee 41

Bishop Verot 31, St. John Neumann 14

Friday, May 19

Barron Collier 31, South Fort Myers 12

Estero 17, Golden Gate 16

Gulf Coast 35, Sarasota 0

Charlotte 47, Palmetto Ridge 43

Naples 28, St. Petersburg 13

North Fort Myers 34, Lely 0

Friday's game

First Baptist Academy 36, Delray Beach-Village Academy 6