Spartans hate to see season come to end

There is a good reason why lineman John Cratic is the last of the Augusta Spartans introduced during pre-game ceremonies at Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center. He brings the lumber - literally.

Cratic, a fan favorite held over from his days with the Augusta Stallions, emerges from the darkness and smoke with what looks like a small telephone pole held on his shoulder.

But he and the Spartans are bringing something else with them going into the last game of the season tonight - a message for the Raleigh Rebels.

"Raleigh needs to be ready to play," Cratic said. "Even though this is our last game, we've played the top two teams very tough lately. We've got nothing to lose, and we're going to lay it all on the line."

The Rebels (8-5) come into the game tied for third in the American Indoor Football League's Southern Division. They've also beaten the Spartans (4-9) once already this season, 48-19, on April 20.

But a look at Augusta's past month on the field tells a different story.

The Spartans nearly upset each of the division's top teams, Richmond and Rome, in recent weeks, with a victory over Florence in between. They've ramped up the quality of personnel with numerous additions throughout the season, and they appear to be at their best.

"Huge improvement," receiver Marvin Stone said. "We've got the big players in at the positions we needed help with, and towards the end of the season, you can see we've started coming together. We just want to finish up strong."

The Spartans have had to play catch-up since before the season started; the team almost folded in February before owner Jimmy Young bought it from the league. It appears now they've caught up.

This week, the Spartans were able to practice indoors at the civic center for the first time all season.

"This is the end of the beginning," coach Bubba Diggs said. "It's kind of bittersweet that it's over, but everything's now in place. ... The preparation this week has been unbelievable."

Reach Steve Sanders at (706) 823-3216 or steven.l.sanders@augustachronicle.com.