The East squad had a 14-8 comeback victory over the West in the 48th annual Sertoma Eight-Man Classic on Saturday night at Hastings College’s Lloyd Wilson Field, (Terry Douglass, Central Nebraska Today)
HASTINGS — Cole Heimes tied a 40-year-old record with three interceptions, helping the East squad to a 14-8 comeback victory over the West in the 48th annual Sertoma Eight-Man Classic on Saturday night at Hastings College’s Lloyd Wilson Field.
Heimes, a defensive back from Hartington-Newcastle, picked off passes in three different quarters, matching a 1985 mark held by Tracy McConnell of Chambers. Heimes’ final interception with 2:50 remaining helped secure the win for the East, which forced four turnovers and held the West scoreless after the first quarter.
Plainview’s Karter Lingenfelter added an interception late in the first half as the East defense stifled the West’s aerial attack. The West managed just 177 total yards, completing only two of its final 12 passes for 20 yards with four interceptions.
The West opened strong. Sandy Creek quarterback Ethan Shaw delivered a 34-yard touchdown pass to Logan Dodson of North Platte St. Pat’s on the opening drive, followed by Shaw’s two-point conversion run to take an 8-0 lead.
The East answered in the second quarter when Stanton’s Barrett Wilke connected with Keegan Jones of Johnson County Central for a 29-yard TD. The duo teamed up again for the two-point conversion to knot the game at 8-8 with 10:45 remaining before halftime.
Wilke and Jones linked once more early in the fourth quarter on a 22-yard scoring strike to put the East ahead for good. Jones finished with three catches for 74 yards and earned East offensive MVP honors, while Wilke threw for 78 yards and two TDs and added 55 rushing yards.
Shaw led the West with 61 rushing yards and also had 33 yards through the air. Dodson received West offensive MVP honors for his lone TD grab. Sandy Creek’s Hudson Devlin was named the West’s defensive MVP, and O’Neill St. Mary’s Jace Rosenkrans also added an interception.
The East finished with 232 total yards, including 154 on the ground over 45 carries. The win marked the first victory for the East in the Classic since 2021.
