Can anyone stop the Spartans?

Remember the years before Immaculata left the Mountain Valley Conference for the Skyland Conference?

Remember the folks who said they would have their comeuppance once they joined the Skyland?

Since the move, the Spartans are 26-7 overall and 22-5 against Skyland Conference opponents.

And that’s after their 5-5 first-season in the league.Immaculata went 12-0 last year in winning the state Non-Public III title.

The Spartans should make it to the state playoffs this year with a 21-game winning streak.

Immaculata senior quarterback Frank DeNick returns along with outstanding junior running back Theo Riddick.

Senior running back Mike Kuhn, who missed all of last year with a nagging turf toe injury, is back along with receivers Brad McAdam, T.J. Fabiano and tight end Jim Fisher.

Riddick scored 23 touchdowns last year – 19 rushing, three receiving and one on a 90-yard kickoff return. Kuhn was scheduled to be a No. 2 option behind Riddick last year, but once his injury came, fullback A.J. Albert filled in capably. He was also an outstanding linebacker, earning the Courier News Defensive Player of the Year.

The line took a major hit by graduation, but center Mark Brazinski and lineman Cody Bohler should be very good along with returning starter T.J. Hoppe.Immaculata also has senior kicker Mike Brownett back. He averaged 48.74 per kick, went 38-for-44 in extra point attempts and had six field goals.

The Spartans will miss graduated linemen Jack Rice, Ryan Bennett and Chris Peltack, but – but – they should find a way to come very close – if not equal – what happened last year.The season starts Sept. 7 against Somerville at dusty Brooks Field.