Spartans Win Big Game, but Lose QB

Friday night's 16-7 win could prove to be a bittersweet victory for Holy Spirit.

In a battle of two of the best teams in South Jersey, the Spartans gutted out a tight, defensive game...but not without a cost. Starting quarterback T.J. Anderson, who sprinted for a 61-yard 1st quarter touchdown, left the game early in the 2nd quarter with an apparent leg injury.

With Anderson on the bench icing his knee, Spirit turned to backup QB Matt Light to lead the offense. The Spartans defense also did their part, keeping one of the most dangerous teams off the scoreboard for the rest of the game.

INJURY UPDATE: 97.3 ESPN-FM's Tyler Donohue spoke with those close to the situation inside the Spartans program, who confirm that quarterback T. J. Anderson will undergo an M.R.I. for a knee injury on Monday.

Here are some of the best calls from Friday night's game, as heard live on 97.3 ESPN-FM:

T.J. Anderson's 61-yard touchdown run (Spirit 7-0)

Rob Ennis's 41-yard touchdown run (Game Tied 7-7)

A.J. Dawson's 40-yard touchdown run (Spirit 16-7)

Press of Atlantic City sports writer Mike McGarry breaks down all the action in the Cape-Atlantic League, including why the defenses were so dominant Friday night in Millville and what affect the Anderson injury could have on Holy Spirit in the long run.

Here’s a preview of some of the other interviews from this week’s edition of the South Jersey Sports Report:

• The Penn State football team will welcome one of the nation's best tight ends to Happy Valley next fall. Southern Regional's Mike Gesicki made his college decision this week, and it's got Nittany Lions fans in South Jersey jumping for joy.  Find out what went into his commitment, and how the local product could factor into Bill O'Brien's offense.
• It hasn't been easy to replace some of their graduating seniors, but the Cedar Creek Pirates football team is finding its stride. We spoke to head football coach Tim Watson about how they hope to fend off a hungry Pleasantville squad this weekend, and what some former Pirates are doing at the college level
• Ocean City's best offensive weapon accounted for four touchdowns in the Red Raiders first victory of the season, and he did it all on Homecoming Night at Carey Stadium
• The Courier Post’s Kevin Minnick breaks down the best Friday night games from across the West Jersey Football League, including why only the second South Jersey quarterback to ever reach 6,000 career passing yards probably doesn't care too much about his individual achievement
• One local soccer team is undefeated through their first 13 games, and not only that, they've outscored their opponents 52-3. We spoke to their senior goalkeeper about what's working for their historically-good squad
• The Millville baseball program is honoring their most famous player, and it's all for a good cause. We asked the man who coached Major Leaguer Mike Trout about how you can get your hands on a ridiculously cool Thunderbolts throwback jersey

Listen to this week's show:

Tanner Kerr, Middle Township Panthers soccer goalie

Kevin Minnick, Courier Post sports reporter

Roy Hallenbeck, Millville Thunderbolts head baseball coach

Tim Watson, Cedar Creek Pirates head football coach

Frank Wooley, Ocean City Red Raiders senior running back

Mike Gesicki, Southern Regional senior tight end & Penn State commit

Click here for more information on the Millville baseball program's fundraiser, and details on how you can score a Mike Trout throwback jersey

We’d also like to congratulate the South Jersey Athlete of the Week:

Tanner Kerr

Soccer, Middle Township

The Panthers goalie continues to turn away shots at a torrid pace. Kerr kept Cape May Tech off the scoreboard Tuesday in a 3-0 victory. It was his 11th shutout of the season and pushed  the Panthers to 13-0 this season.

It’s all right here, on The South Jersey Sports Report. Listen every Saturday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on 97.3 ESPN-FM or 973espn.com. Don’t forget to miss Tyler on Thursday Night Live where each week we take the South Jersey Sports Report on the road at a different local establishment in our area, with the spotlight on high school football.

And 97.3 ESPN-FM has you covered every Friday night from 6-7 p.m. for “Countdown to Kickoff”, followed by our live coverage of one of the area’s best games. It all wraps up with our post game show at 10 p.m.

Follow Tyler Donohue on Twitter @TDsTake