LINCOLN — A solid bounce-back performance wasn’t quite enough for Grand Island Thursday night as Lincoln East built a 21-7 lead after three quarters squelched a late comeback bid to prevail 28-20 at Seacrest Field.
Coming off a 42-0 home loss to rival Kearney on Sept. 6, the Islanders responded by making it a four-quarter game against the Spartans (2-1).
Trailing by eight, Grand Island (0-3) had two possessions in the final five minutes. However, an incomplete pass ended the Islanders’ drive at the Lincoln East 30-yard line with 1:36 to play and, after taking over at its own 15 with 1:08 remaining, GISH could only advance to its own 29 before turning the ball over on downs with 19 seconds left.
Playing without leading receiver Jalen Warren due to an injury, Grand Island relied heavily on Riley Holling, who finished with 11 receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns. Holling’s 12-yard scoring reception with 8:54 to play in the second quarter tied the score at 7-7 and his 10-yard TD catch with 10:08 remaining cut the Islanders’ deficit to 21-14.
Grand Island quarterback Gavin Semm was 19 of 34 passing for 155 yards with two TDs and an interception. Running back Nelsyn Wheeler had 156 yards rushing on 26 carries for the Islanders, who committed three turnovers, including a pair of lost fumbles.
After struggling to stop the running game in its first two contests, Grand Island limited the Spartans to 59 yards rushing on 31 attempts. Defensively, Islanders Michael Obermiller and Mason Cheetsos both had interceptions, while Cole Fernau and Holling each had a sack for the Islanders.
Lincoln East (2-1) had most of its offensive success through the air as quarterback Ryan Manning completed 20 of 37 pass attempts for 295 yards and four TDs. Landen Lingenfelter finished with nine receptions for 130 yards and three TDs, including a 51-yard grab for a score that gave Lincoln East a 28-14 lead with 7:58 remaining.
The Islanders made it a one-score game on Ryker Booth’s 3-yard TD run with 5:37 to go. However, the point-after kick failed and Lincoln East maintained an eight-point advantage.
Grand Island returns to action on Sept. 20 at Elkhorn South.
