COLUMBUS - Defense was the name of the game for Lincoln East on Thursday night, led by a raucous group of Spartans garnering 8 sacks, two interceptions and a pick-six to beat Columbus 27-14.

This matchup between Lincoln East (3-3) and Columbus (4-2) marked the third straight year of the battle for the programs, with the Spartans beating the Discoverers in the previous two. According to the NSAA archives, Lincoln East had won the previous 7 matchups dating back to 2003.

The Spartans received the ball to begin the game, but after a solid drive, a missed 47-yard field goal by Colin Nehe gave the Discoverers the ball.

Columbus was able to break a few big plays, leading the the 13th touchdown of the season for Michael Voichoskie to give the Discoverers a 7-0 lead.

Lincoln East drove right down and answered back with a touchdown by sophomore running back Kyle Campbell.

After a three and out, Lincoln East moved down the field again, where Campbell scored his second touchdown of the game. Lincoln East took a 14-7 lead into the break.

Columbus went three and out to start the third quarter, allowing Lincoln East to take the ball and finish  a drive with a 30-yard Colin Nehe field goal.

Later in the quarter, the Spartans had a chance to score another touchdown, threatening in the red zone. The Discoverers made a stop just three-yards shy of the goal line, giving the football back to Columbus.

On the ensuing drive, Will Wickham felt pressure and threw a ball into coverage and was intercepted by Caleb Wilcox, who returned it for a touchdown.

Down 24-7, the Discoverers answered back with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Wickham to Connor Kallweit, cutting the deficit to 24-14.

Lincoln East finished the next drive with a 37-yard field goal, courtesy of Colin Nehe. The Discoverers had a few chances late in the fourth quarter, but the Spartan defense feasted on the night, racking up 8 total sacks and icing the game with an interception by Kyle Campbell.

Spartan's quarterback Ryan Manning threw for 153 yards on 9/17 passing, with 49 yards on the ground. Kyle Campbell ran for 49 yards and two touchdowns, while Huxton Katt rushed for 52 yards. Mikhale Ford led the way with 55 receiving yards on three catches.

Defensively, Elijah Gutz sacked Wickham three times, leading the way for Lincoln East. Presley Hall had two sacks, along with the Caleb Wilcox 7-yard pick six and the final interception from Kyle Campbell to seal the game.

Will Wickham went 11/19 passing for 174 yards and threw a touchdown, paired with two interceptions. Michael Voichoskie rushed for 40 yards with a touchdown. Connor Kallweit caught three passes for 101 yards and a score.

With the 27-14 victory, Lincoln East moves to 4-3 on the season, bouncing back from back-to-back losses. The win also snapped a 4-game Columbus winning streak, dropping them to 4-3.