This year, the Spartans sit alone at the top of the ISL

Raw footage of Coach Z speaking about his team, postgame. @GlobeSchools @BostonHeraldHS et al, feel free to use quotes. #GoLASpartans pic.twitter.com/EsBC8Kxh3x

— Lawrence Academy (@lawrenceacademy) November 11, 2017

In the wake of a 49-14 victory over Tabor Academy, Lawrence Academy Football Head Coach Paul Zukauskas was only moments removed from his club’s earning a fourth-straight ISL title — and was standing mid-field in Marion, Mass. — when he was queried about his team’s victory.

“It feels wonderful,” he admitted. “I feel, like I do a lot of years, an immense sense of gratitude for the players and the work they put in.”

Undefeated at 8-0, the Spartans attained sole possession of the ISL title (after sharing the championship last year and just missing a 2016 postseason bid), en route to a 2017 NEPSAC bowl birth on Saturday, November, 18.

“I think we have great coaches; we’ve got great players – they work really hard and I appreciate that,” mused Zukauskas aloud. “I really do.”

That appreciation is mutual.

In conversation after conversation, Zukauskas’ players echo former Spartan standout (who recently set the BC freshman rushing record of 1039 yards) AJ Dillon, who this summer told LA’s Academy Journal, “Coach Z has brought me a long way.”

However, the season is a long way from over for the current batch of Spartans.

Asked what his mindset would be going into LA’s upcoming NEPSAC bowl bid, Zukausakas smiled and said, “Win!

“Work really hard and keep preparing like we’ve normally prepared and, even, prepping a little bit harder,” he added. “Whatever team we play will be really good, so we have to come out ready.”

Lawrence Academy football will host Andover in the NEPSAC’s Kevin Fleming Bowl on Murbach Field at 1:00 PM, Saturday, Nov. 18.