Spartan "O" Rolls at the Big "O"
Defense Throws a Shutout
../../../2007 Season/Varsity/Benson/0.jpg
Omaha Benson 7 14 7 6 34
Lincoln East 0 0 0 0 0
LE Sunderman 32 run (Burns kick)
LE Palm 35 run (Burns kick
LE Sankey 18 pass from Palm (Burns kick)
LE Palm 3 run (Burns kick)
LE Knott 1 run (kick blocked)
Benson
East
First Downs
14
20
Rushes-yards
29-40
48-361
Passing yards
174
75
Passing 
14-37-2
5-11-0
Punts-avg
6-33.7
3-37.7
Fumbles-lost
4-2
3-1
Penalties-Yards
5-36
2-25
Return Yards
21
35
Omaha, NE - Lincoln East offense exploded in the second quarter when quarterback senior Matt Palm came off the bench to roll up 186 yards on Omaha Benson and a 34-0 victory.

The Spartans got on the board first when after Zach Smith incepted his second pass on the season. and Scott Sunderman scampered 32 yards on an option on the first play of the drive. Omaha Benson threatened a couple times in the first only to be held on 4th down and had a field goal try fail. The Spartans were moving up and down the field on the Bunnies but, failing to score with it's own turnovers.

Palm entered the game and the running game of the Spartans exploded to 361 total yards on 48 trys for the game. Palm scored on his opening drive with a four-play, 77 yard drive and a 35 yard touchdown run. With less than one minute remaining in the half Palm took the Spartans down the field and hit Drew Sankey with an 18 yard scoring pass with little time remaining. That 21-0 lead at half-time was key for the offense on continuing the second half rout on the Bunnies.

Palm continued the Spartan rally in the second half with a 3 yard TD run in the third quarter followed by a Mike Knott fourth quarter 1 yard run. With the game 34-0 and in total control the Spartans were able to unload the bench and provide some experience for the younger players and playing time for some well deserved seniors.

The Spartan defense shutout the Bunnies and held them to 40 rushing yards. Fifteen of the 29 rushing plays were held to no gain or losses. Quarterback Donte Perry did throw a nice pass and hooked up to his teammate Kyle Estwick seven times for 97 yards.

The Spartans showed some improvement in the kickoff return and kickoff game. The punting and punt receiving teams for the Spartans are still having some trouble. The Benson rambled down to the Spartan 1 yard line but, was called back due to a hold.

The Spartans a sporting one of the top defenses in the state and the offense now has two very qualified quarterbacks that can run and pass. Every week the Spartans get stronger. The Discoverers from Columbus would like to have a say in that next week when the Spartans take on Columbus. Columbus has very quality wins against Fremont and Papillion-South. Their losses came against Kearney and North Platte. North Platte had number one Westside on the ropes this week. However, the Spartans did beat the North Platte so a good week of practice will help prepare for the Discoverers.

   INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Palm 15 186
Sunderman 6 57
Knott 9 55
  H. Meginnis 2 23
Connor 3 18
Tyrell 5 15
Herbert 3 8
Metzger 1 (-1)
Quade 1 0
Passing
Palm 2-6-0 54
Sunderman 3-5-0 21
Receiving
Sankey 2 54
H. Meginnis 2 13
Burns 1 8
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