The quick strike did not take long when Tony Kouba interception a Pat Spangler pass and romped 59 yards up the sideline to put the Chieftains out into the lead 7-0 with only 4 minutes gone. The next East possession Shawn Gach recovered a Saul Bakewell fumble to give Bellevue East a very short 40 yard field. Quickly down by 14 the Spartans punted on the next possession to Tim Burton and Burton found the end zone 73 yards later. That 21 point quick start by the Chieftains dug a hole that was impossible to ever recover. Bellevue East used their wing T offense to grind out the game with Robert Rands chewing up 161 yards of the teams total 266 yards. Bellevue East did not throw a pass all evening.

Four fumbles, two dropped passes, a roughing the kicker penalty, had Murphy hanging around all evening with the Spartans. Even Bellevue East had 5 fumbles but, East could not find the ball. Missed tackles were the keys to a punt return touchdown and a 62 yard run by Rands. The East squad and fans had the sails knocked down early on and the tired and brusied Spartans only found a spark of fire once in the game when Spangler hit Cole Dillow on a 61 yard bomb.

Although the loss to Bellevue East 34-7 was a tough loss, the Spartans made a lot of progress this season and set the ground work for the future. East as a contender this season brought out highly spirited opponents and maybe that spirt will someday catch on at East high. Spirit has a lot to do with the mental part of the game. It makes a cold evening seem a lot warmer. How else can you explain Lincoln East blowing out Bellevue West 45-16 and Bellevue West beating Bellevue East 14-12 and then this game. In the fourth quarter the Spartans had a big play and suddenly you could see the team react. Unfortunately, Murphy hung around and the comeback was shutdown.

The East High underclassmen recorded a record of 21-3 this season. That talent level shows a bright future but, they too must work on the mental part of beating Southeast. Congratulations to the seniors and good luck to the future Spartan teams.