The seniors on the Springfield-Montco High School football team have orchestrated the program’s renaissance three years after it was forced to cancel the season, writes Joesph Santoliquito for PhillyVoice.

In the fall of 2016, the school’s administration canceled the season, as the Spartans only had 18 players and then competed in the rugged Suburban One League, one of the premier football conferences in the state.

That was ancient history, though. This year, Springfield-Montco went 8-2 in the regular season and opened the PIAA District One Class 4A playoffs as the top seed.

An exemption from the SOL enabled the Spartans to play an independent schedule against similarly sized schools. They will rejoin the SOL next season and compete in the American Conference.

“It was never a consideration to drop football completely,” said athletic director Joe Ferraro. “We needed to build the confidence of the kids and play games against schools we could be competitive with. This season is a testament to these seniors who stuck with it.”

The Spartans now boast a roster of 55 players between the junior varsity and varsity teams.

“It’s a credit to the kids and the area,” said coach Chris Shelly. “I’m so proud of the seniors who stuck throughout this.

“We feel like we’re at our best right now, going against schools that (are) our size.”

Springfield-Montco lost, 37-14, to Upper Moreland in the first round of the playoffs.

Click here to read more about the Springfield-Montco football program at PhillyVoice.