| Lincoln, NE - A Seacrest showdown between rival Northeast and the Spartans ended with a miracle East 68 yard drive with 55 seconds remaining in the game. The 5-1 Spartans defeated the Rockets 27-24 with a pass from Matt Palm to Tyson Clark for 3 yards with 3 seconds remaining. The big Spartan crowd went crazy when East pulled off the homecoming win over a Northeast team that had defeated the Spartans the last three years.
The miracle drive started from the Spartan 32 yard line. With only one time out remaining the Spartans used the sideline patterns to stop the clock with successful completions to Sam Witherby and Justin Burns. Clark came up big for the Spartans when he hauled in a 33 yard pass from Palm to give the Spartans a chance from the five yard line.
The first half looked like both teams were tenative to start the game. Special teams had hurt the Spartans all night with a blocked punt by Yusef Wade that lead to the first Northeast touchdown. Jordan Burt found Zach Reinke open for a 26 yard touchdown to put the Rockets on top for the half 7-0.
In the second half the Spartans managed to score in the third quarter to bring the game to 7-6. Again, a Spartan let down in special teams allowed a tying extra point with a blocked kick. Northeast came back in the third quarter and scored on a 34 yard field goal by Curt Adams to give the Rockets a 10-6 lead.
The Spartans came firing back to take the lead 13-10 when Palm fired a 13 yard pass to Taylor Maahs, a 34 yard pass to Drew Sankey and a 33 yard pass to Clark to wind up on the 3 yard line. Palm took care of the rest with a 3 yard scamper.
Now in the fourth quarter the game went on one of the wildest rides since the East comeback a year ago against Norfolk in the playoff game. Tyler Collier gave the Rockets the lead 17-13 when he ran 51 yards to pay dirt. Collier had pulled the same trick one year ago to give the Spartans their first defeat. But, Northeast kicked off to East and had a good return before Northeast was called for two fifteen yard penalties. Northeast coach got a little hot and cost the Rockets a good chunk of real estate as the Spartans would start their drive on the Rocket 27 yard line. Palm capped off a 1 yard touchdown run after the Spartans ran 7 plays. The Spartans gained the lead again 20-17 with 2:25 seconds remaining in the game.
Northeast would have nothing to do with the Spartan lead and drove down the field and quarterback Burt scrambled 19 yards to give the Rockets the lead 24-20 with 1:00 to go in the game. The miracle drive began for the Spartans and the rest is history.
Next week the Spartans will travel to Norfolk. Norfolk Panthers even though they are 2-4 have played some close games all season and they would love to spoil the Spartans season. Norfolk lost to a very good Columbus team 30-27 at Columbus. The Spartans must have a good week of practice and be ready to play the Panthers. But, our seniors are already all over the situation and will be ready to play.
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