PINCONNING - Oct. 2, 2009 - Other than a second-week hiccup against a solid Sanford-Meridian squad. Pinconning has been nearly flawless this season.

The Spartans continued their resurgence Friday with a 28-18 victory over visiting Standish-Sterling, improving to 3-0 in North East Michigan Conference play and setting up this week's showdown for the NEMC title at Ogemaw Heights (3-0).

Pinny's bread-and-butter this season has been the running game, sparked by the fleet-footed Tyler Espitia and the powerful Lucas Foco.

But on Friday it was the passing game that got it done for the Pinconning offense as quarterback Casey Pashak, the first-year starter as a senior, that got the job done.

Pashak had three rushing touchdowns, of two, nine and five yards, but was 9-of-16 for 199 yards and a 9-yard touchdown strike to Travis Garbulinski.

Pashak ran for all three of his touchdowns in the first half as the Spartans built a 22-6 lead. Trevor Trombley's 39-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter briefly pulled SSC to within 8-6, but Pinny scored twice more before the half ended.

"We just did not play a good game (overall)," said SSC coach Paul Walderzak. "There were  many opportunities to take control of things and make big plays, but we just did not get it done. I did see a lot of good things for us, especially in the second half. Just not enough."

Garrett Pierce's 1-yard run in the third quarter got the Panthers back to within 22-12, but they couldn't slow down the Pinny offense, which capped the third quarter with Pashak's touchdown pass to Garbulinski.

Trombley's 12-yard run in the fourth quarter was the final score of the night.

Trombley finished with 90 yards rushing on nine carries and had two sacks on defense. Pierce added 64 yards on 11 carries. Alex Schmidt and Zack Neid each had 11 tackles on defense.

The winner of the Pinconning at Ogemaw Heights game (both teams 5-1 overall, 3-0 NEMC) will lay claim to the league title.

SSC (3-3, 1-2) hosts John Glenn (2-4, 1-2) in a game that is critical to both teams' fading playoff chances.

"We can’t make the mental errors and expect to beat a team like John Glenn," Walderzak said. "I think they are a much better team than their record shows.  I think we are also.  We just have to be ready to give our best, physically and mentally."