Varsity football traveled to Fort Zumwalt East for the first game of the season Friday night, only to lose 43-20. Spartan touchdowns were scored by senior Jordon Cooper (first and third quarter) and junior Nathan Garthe (second quarter).

The Lions scored the first touchdown of the game with 7:28 left in the first quarter. Cooper, running back, quickly evened the scored with 6:29 left in the first quarter. After two more touchdowns on the board from FZE, junior quarterback Jackson Berck handed the ball to Garthe for a 72 yard touchdown, ending the first half trailing 20-14.

After a Lion field goal and touchdown, Cooper then scored an 80 yard touchdown in the third quarter making the score 30-20 East. Lions ended up pulling away from the Spartans the fourth quarter, scoring two more touchdowns to end the game.

“We had a couple mental mistakes on some things,” said new Head Coach Pete Eberhardt. “Otherwise, I think we looked very well offensively for the first game out. We can only get better from where we’re at right now.”

The team’s record last year was 2-8, including a losing score against the Lions of 35-7. Fewer than 12 points per game were scored last year and offense was shut out three games.

“We’re a lot more disciplined this year,” Cooper said. “I think we can have a better season than last year, but we just need to take it one game at a time and make sure we get better everyday and not have small mental mistakes.”

The boys travel to Fort Zumwalt South August 28 at 7 p.m.