Columbus, NE - The weather conditions were terrible with slashing cold rain but, the Lincoln East Football program had already experienced the worst of times.  Great fun football has returned to the Spartans as the defense stuffed the Discoverer's in front of an estimated crowd of 1,000 miserably wet fans 20-0.

The week began with about the best practices I've ever witnessed at East High School .  From the Scout squad to the starters, the entire team was working hard and having fun. Everyone was getting involved.  Divine intervention has given these seniors such a powerful road that not even a torrential downpour would prevent them from enjoying this ride.  This group of seniors has experienced the lowly depths of a friend getting seriously hurt and back to back 1-8 seasons.  But, most of the seniors had competed on the Freshman, Reserve and Junior Varsity teams that compiled a record of 19-3. Many lessons were learned spiritually, physically and emotionally over those years and a very powerful pride came together this year mixed with desire and heart to GET ER DONE.

This night at Columbus was no different because the defense was determined to shut down the middle, the outside and the pass.    The Spartans were very physical with the Discoverers and shutting down their ground game.

In the first quarter, Columbus was determined to stop the Spartan ground game with eight men in the box, so Jim Ebke found Andrew Peterson open up the middle for a 48 yard touchdown pass.   The rain prevented either side to get rolling offensively for the rest of the first half.  As the third quarter started, the rains became heavier and the hearts of Spartans got bigger as they drove down the field and capped a touchdown drive with Jim Ebke scoring his 11^th touchdown of the season.  The final Spartan score came in the fourth quarter as Ebke used a quarterback sneak to score his 12^th touchdown of the season.  

But, the game belonged to the defense. Play after play the defense came up big with play from Garek Petry, Cole Weihe, Jake Wolf, Kasey Shane, Levi Lash, Ebke, John Grabowski, Dan Cramer, Jacob Hansen, Justin Burns, Harry McGinnis, Nathan Tucker, Sam Meginnis, Graham Thurber and Michael Yardley.  Burns intercepted his third interception on the season and Logan McClure recovered a fumble.

As this team marches on toward stiffer competition, get on the Spartan bandwagon because if they stay focused some great football will be played by East.  A cross town showdown with Northeast will take place next Friday night.  Get out and support your Spartans.  Tell the Alumni to come out watch these kids because times are getting exciting.   The parents group has started a great chant of FIRST DOWN when the Spartans get a first down. The chant is very loud and powerful.  Can you image a DE-FENSE, DE-FENSE rocking Seacrest next week. also.  GO Spartans !   These kids respond to cheering.