One by one, Sparta starters have been going down like bowling pins. But the Spartans refuse to go down.

And now they are the likely Patriot Red champions.

The polls are now closed, and the verdict is in:

Landslide.

Sparta beat West Milford, 42-14, and is a victory over rebuilding Jefferson away from winning the division Friday night. 

The Spartans were up 28-0 over West Milford at one point.

“I’m proud of the kids who have stepped up,” coach Frank Marchiano said. “We have so many starting players out and so many backups in the game.”

Quarterback Shane Hoover estimates about 10 kids have been knocked out at one point or another this year. When some have come back, others have limped off. 

It has been that kind of season.

But the wins keep coming.

“It’s part of the game,” Hoover said. “We have lost a lot of key pieces, but they are always there at practice, pumping up the team.”

Mainstays such as Luke Brown, Vin Rispoli, and Nick Martino have been out for much of the year. Two-way standout Hunter Chlodnicki was injured early on against West Milford and didn’t return.

No matter. Sparta found a way. The Spartans’ assembly line of skill kids keeps pumping ‘em out.

Down a receiver? No problem. Christian Brevig, who’d caught just 10 passes all year, hauled in eight receptions for 102 yards and two TDs. 

Need a running back? Not a biggie. Jace Stiansen, a freshman, stepped in with 12 carries for 52 yards and a touchdown.

“It was totally unexpected, against that defense, to score 42 points,” said Luke Doster (3 for 78 receiving). “We had a bye week, so we had two weeks of practice to prepare. Coach March got us under control and prepared us as well as any coach possibly could.”

Marchiano had to mix and match all night, as he has for much of the year. Many times, kids have to learn new positions and roles on the fly. But time and time again, the Spartans have stepped up.

Running back Brady Shagawat caught a 75-yard touchdown pass from Hoover early in the game and the rout was on. Six different receivers caught passes for Sparta. 

Said Hoover, “We have so many weapons, it makes my job easy. We have so many great skill guys.”

“We have been blessed with a lot of good running backs and receivers,” Marchiano added. “The team that started wasn’t the team that finished.”

Chlodnicki is one of the area’s best linebackers, so Marchiano had to juggle the defense for an explosive West Milford offense.

But guys like sophomore Zecheriah Cook made the transition look routine.

“I’m delighted with the kids who stepped up and helped us win as first-year varsity players,” Marchiano said.

And then there is the incomparable Hoover (17 for 27, 302 yards, 5 TDs).

“He is very good,” the coach raved. “He is a great kid to coach. We lost two starting running backs in a series of five plays at one point. Shane has the ability to carry the team with his arm. 

“I have been a baseball coach for 32 years as well. He is committed to play at Seton Hall. However, I think some colleges are gonna start taking shots (recruiting Hoover for football). I have coached a lot of good QBs and he is as good as any of them.

“He is coachable and has a high football IQ. It really comes down to … he has an overall great feel. The game fits him and he has a great feel for the game. He has arm strength and touch. He spreads the ball around. Every week we put in the stats … you’re so focused on the next week that you don’t see the balance that we have.”

“Our offense is amazing because we have a lot of weapons,” Hoover said. “We have a developing line that’ll help us go far in the playoffs. It all starts with our coaches and practice and that translates into points on the board.”

“Our passing game was incredible,” Doster said. “It is hard to go wrong with Shane and our line played great, so Shane had time to throw. And the way March puts together the plays against Cover 2 or Cover 3, guys get to open spots. It’s not always the same guys going to the same spots, so it’s hard for defenses to prepare.”

And those receivers vary each week because of the injuries. No matter, Sparta always seems to find a way.