By Bill Nestor
Several area football teams have been making a move toward the playoff scene. Out of all of the county squads. Lincoln has made the biggest improvement and has drawn the attention of future opponents following this past week’s 42 to 12 victory over Lewis County.
The Cougars declared dominance on the road in a hostile environment on the Minutemen’s homecoming, no less, while making a statement in the process.
Veteran mentor Rob Hawkins knows he has one of the best quarterbacks in the Mountain State. A J. Bart has struck fear in the hearts of opposing team coordinators for years. Now the defensive unit has picked up its game and, after shutting down Lewis County’s power rushing attack, is beaming with confidence.
The Minutemen could only muster a small amount of yardage compared to their normal output and were held to less than 100 yards of total offense. Lewis County would only find the endzone twice. The first occasion came on an interception return and the second came in the fourth quarter when the game had already been decided.
Bart paced the Cougars, accounting for 351 yards (in the air) of the 389 team total. He was 26 of 41, including three scoring tosses. His favorite target, Jacob Bart, was nearly unguardable, pulling in an impressive 11 passes for 155 yards. Colton Edwards hauled in a half-dozen balls for 87 yards and a score. Brody Barnes caught four passes for five yards, including a 42-yard bomb that was good for six points.
Lincoln returns home this Friday to host intercounty rival Robert C. Byrd.
The Flying Eagles are coming off an impressive 49 to 28 homecoming triumph over East Fairmont. RCB used offensive balance and big plays to garner the win, passing for 193 yards while churning out 309 yards on the ground.
Signal caller Isiah Heflin was seven of 10 passing with a pair of touchdowns. Heflin was also the squad’s leading ground gainer with 115 yards and two scores. Isaac Barksdale rushed for 101 yards on 22 attempts and a one yard TD plunge. He also pulled in a 43-yard touchdown reception. Kobe Duarte caught three balls for 110 yards, including a 58-yard score. Robert C. Byrd would score five touchdowns of 28 yards or more in the win.
This series has been dead even since 2021 when the Flying Eagles took a 35 to 13 win. In 2022, the Cougars claimed a 31 to 20 victory. In 2023, Robert C. Byrd named Austin Scott its new head coach and he suffered a 42 to six loss to Lincoln. Scott would earn his first win of the series last year by a narrow count of 35 to 28.
After this clash, Lincoln has a week off before hosting Buckhannon-Upshur, then finishing with a road lock-ups at Doddridge County and Phillip Barbour. Robert C. Byrd will be at Grafton next week and close out with North Marion and Buckhannon-Upshur in Clarksburg.
That will do it for now! Until next week . . . take care and God Bless!!!
