East wins, clinches playoffs

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

After scoring the winning touchdown a week ago on the final play from scrimmage, Lincoln East needed a defensive stand in the final two minutes Friday to secure a 27-21 win at Norfolk and clinch a Class A District 2 playoff berth.

The Spartans (6-1, 3-0) led 27-14 early in the fourth quarter but couldn’t celebrate until forcing three straight incompletions with Norfolk at the East 18-yard line.

“Those came down to be the plays of the game,” said East coach John Gingery. “On fourth down, we got pretty good pressure and had good coverage.

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“These games are aging me in a hurry, but it’s huge to win up here like this.”

East’s victory, the Spartans’ fifth straight win, set up a showdown for the district title next week between East and 5-2 Lincoln Southwest.

Trailing 7-6 at halftime Friday, East once again charged up the offense in the second half.

The Spartans, who scored 27 points after intermission a week ago, scored three touchdowns in a span of six minutes at Norfolk, the final score set up by Justin Burns’ 23-yard interception return to the Panthers’ 8.

Quarterback Matt Palm eventually scored from the 1, his fourth rushing touchdown of the game. The senior accounted for 201 total yards as East outgained the Panthers 306-296.

East’s Michael Knott rushed for 66 yards and Tyson Clark caught two passes for 68 yards.

Quarterback Lance Lawson ran for 108 yards and passed for 163 to lead Norfolk (2-5, 0-3).

— Todd Henrichs