The first six weeks of the football season were easy for John Adams. Maybe a little too easy.

The Spartans started the year with six straight blowout wins (four of them shutouts) before an 8-4 loss to August Martin snapped them back to reality. The Spartans regrouped and responded with impressive victories in their final two games, including Friday afternoon's 35-12 win to close out the regular season against previously undefeated Harry S. Truman. The victory came a week after John Adams scored 22 unanswered point in a 22-20 defeat of Beach Channel.

“I opened my big mouth,” said John Adams coach Gerald Weitzen, who during his team's hot start suggested the Spartans could run the table, “and we lost to August Martin. Did the loss help us? Losses don't help anyone. We had to get back to playing like we did the first six weeks.”

The Spartans (8-1) returned to early-season form against the Mustangs, scoring 21 straight points in the first quarter, including a 55-yard touchdown dash by senior Christopher McLaren on the first play from scrimmage. Considering the Mustangs had not allowed more than 20 points in a game all season, the scoring outburst was both impressive and much needed.

Sophomore quarterback Daniel Perez connected with senior Victor Rosario on a 39-yard touchdown pass and senior Akeeme Chavis returned an interception to the house to spark John Adams in the first quarter. Junior Brandon Wilson (97 yards rushing) ran for a touchdown in the second and senior Thaddeus Akkebala added his own TD run to open the second half, as the Spartans pulled away.

Nevertheless, the Mustangs (8-1) finished in first place and the Spartans in second in the Bowl Division standings. The top four teams make the Bowl playoffs. John Adams will face third-place Thomas Jefferson in the Bowl semifinals and Truman will match-up with fourth-place finisher August Martin. Truman defeated August Martin and Thomas Jefferson down the stretch this season.

Junior Isayah Muller had a team-high 90 yards rushing and a fourth-quarter touchdown for the Mustangs, who battled injuries to key players late in the season. The Mustangs would get another crack at beating Adams if both teams make the championship game. The Spartans, who won the city title in 1982, 1983 and 1987, will be seeking their first title since winning the Cup Division championship in 2007.

“People don't respect us like they used to,” said McLaren, who made nine tackles and an interception in addition to running for 95 yards. “We're trying to bring that tradition back to John Adams football.”