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Omaha, NE - The Spartans were excited to make the playoffs and they felt they had that magic from the previous Friday to topple Number 3, Omaha Central. East received the kickoff and John Schneckloth slammed his way down the field on a 74 yard return. On 2nd and 7 from the Central 11, Schneckloth scored to give East the feeling that something great was about to happen this night. East managed to get Central offense off the field on six plays and forced them to punt it back to the Spartans. After Grant Ozaki had run for 17 yards, Eric Connor streaked down the field wide open and Ozaki hit him on the run for an apparent 70 yard touchdown strike. The East crowd and band, who had came to Omaha on three buses, were into total excitement before they saw the dreaded yellow flag on the field. A false start had cost the Spartans a 14-0 lead with 5:30 to go in the first quarter. You could see and tell that the penalty had totally demolished the Spartans. like air coming out of a huge balloon. Central went on with their super athletes to romp over 500 yards on the Spartans and win 42-14. East managed to give away four fumbles and the defense had their worst night of season tackling.
It did take Central 11:53 to get their first score in the first period when Will Burges engineered a 10 play 53 yard drive before Jackie Davis rushed for the final yard to give Central the 7-7 tie after one period. Davis did fumble on the East 11 yard line but, Central managed to jump on the loose ball. Davis rushed for 43 yards on the first drive of his nightly total of 238.
The Spartans were unable to get their second quarter drive going when they fumbled for a negative 11 yards. Forced to punt, Tre-DeonHollins returned the punt 38 yards to the East 11 yard line. One play later Quentin Williams rushed home for a 14-7 lead. On the second play of the next possession East fumbled again on the East 25 and Central was in business again. One play and Burgess found Tre-DeonHollins in the end zone for a 25 yard touchdown and a 21-7 lead. Only 1:16 and Central had scored 2 touchdowns on Spartan fumbles. The Spartans were held on their next possession after 5 plays and 20 yards. Tim Kubert punted Tre-DeonHollins for Central and he fumbled but, East did not pounce on the opportunity. One play later Jackie Davis race up the left side for a speedy 73 yard touchdown and a 28-7 lead. With 4:35 remaining in the second quarter Central drove the ball 44 yards on 9 plays before Gabe Morton forced a fumble on East’s 8 yard line during a 4th down try from Central. Two plays later the Spartans, gave the ball back to Central again on a fumble on the East 11 yard line. The Spartan defense stiffened and held Central on 4 shots at the end zone before half.
Central came out of the locker room in the third quarter and fired a 49 yard pass from Burgess to Darian Jackson to give the Eagles a 35-7 lead. A short kickoff wound up in R.J. Dennis hands for the Spartans and he rambled to the East 45 yard line. Schneckloth ran up the middle on a 24 yard rush and a beautiful pass from Ozaki to Dennis covered 32 yards for a Spartan score. A three and out by the defense and some Spartan momentum was crushed when East fumbled on the Spartan 50 yard line. Three plays later Davis ran 29 yards on the final play of three to give the Eagles a 42-14 lead.
To start the fourth quarter, Central managed a 13 play 70 yard drive with 7:36 of clock, when Burgess found Jackson for a 17 yard pass and catch touchdown. The clock continued to run at the point and Central showed some classy sportsmanship when the kneeled the final two plays on the East 8 yard line for a 49-7 victory.
Omaha Central will move on in the tournament and meet Grand Island and East will turn in their pads for the season. East finished 3-7 and the Eagles are 9-1,
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