The Exira-EHK Spartans built a 23 point lead in the first half and held on for a 52-34 win over the CAM Cougars on Friday night.

The Cougars started the game with an opening touchdown drive to take and early 6-0 lead. Nate Hensley hit DeShawn Carr on a 38yd touchdown pass. The Cougars then picked off the Spartans on the 15th play of their opening possession. The offense stalled though and the Spartans got it back an scored on an 8 yard touchdown pass from Josh Pettepier to Trey Nelson. A made PAT made it 7-6. The teams traded scores to make it 13-12 Spartans and then Exira-EHK went on their run. Exira-EHK racked up the next three scores to lead 35-12. That lead would be enough to hold up.

The Cougars got a nice drive to end the first half and climb within 35-18 but the Spartans struck on the first drive of the second half to push it to 42-18. The Cougars didn’t lay down though and got back within 11 with 2:44 left. The Spartans answered back though with a closing touchdown on a 37-yard run by Josh Pettepier to seal the win.

Exira-EHK improves to 5-0 on the season through a very tough schedule and take a stranglehold lead on the District 8 race with a 3-0 start. The Spartans host West Harrison next week.

CAM falls to 3-2 overall and 1-2 in the district. The Cougars host Woodbine next week.