GIBSONTON — East Bay jumped out to a 14-point lead and held on.
Christian Leto scored from 13 yards on the Indians’ first possession of the game, capping a 10-play drive. Eric Latortue then hauled in a 33-yard second-quarter touchdown from Chris Carpentier, one of just four passes for the game by East Bay (3-1, 1-0 Class 7A, District 8), to take a 14-0 lead into halftime.
“Everybody knows we’re not a passing team and try to punch teams in the mouth,” Latortue said. “But we can catch you off-guard with that play.”
Spoto trimmed it to 14-6 on a 2-yard pass from Kevin Hobley to Patrick James with 3:58 to play. The Spartans recovered the ensuing onside kick. But three plays, later Kevin Sails picked off a pass in the end zone, and East Bay ran out the clock.
Neither team looked sharp. The Spartans (0-4, 0-1) were whistled for 18 penalties, turned the ball over three times and surrendered nine sacks. East Bay fumbled seven times, losing five.
Latortue registered three of the Indians’ sacks while Marques Ford had a pair. Carpentier left the game with a leg injury in the third. His backup, Jordan Anderson, lasted one series before leaving. Tyler Johnston finished the game.