Friday, September 07, 2012
Sports News

Schweitzer shares stories of 1984 winning season with Railers

By Justin Tierney

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[September 07, 2012]  After surrendering 62 points in six quarters, the Lincoln Railer defense finally said enough was enough during halftime of last week's win over Springfield Lanphier in the home opener at Handlin Field.

The Railers shut out the Lions in the second half en route to a 22-14 victory.

In large part because of that defensive effort, Lincoln has an opportunity to start a winning streak this week against a visiting Springfield Southeast squad.

Railer coach Andy McDonald said the Railers didn't do anything different strategically in the second half.

Rather, it was just a matter of getting back to basics, mixed with a little bit of pride.

"We didn't do anything that differently. We just re-emphasized what we had been telling them all week, the things to focus on," said McDonald. "I think when the guys came in at halftime, they were kind of mad because the (Lanphier) quarterback was just running all over us. ... They felt like one guy was beating us.

"We shot ourselves in the foot a few times offensively. They felt like they weren't going to let one guy keep running through us. It's a great credit to the kind of kids we've got to make that adjustment."

Senor leads Spartans

The Railers can't afford to let last week's second-half insistence on not being beaten by one player go to the wayside this week.

If they do, Herman Senor has the potential to beat them by himself.

Senor is arguably the best all-around athlete in the Central State Eight conference, having earned all-conference honors in basketball and baseball already in 2012. The Spartans' senior quarterback combines a pitcher's throwing arm with the athleticism of a guard on the basketball floor.

Containing him will be Lincoln's primary focus, especially when he's outside the pocket.

"Senor is experienced, a great athlete and quick, with a strong arm," said McDonald. "He has composure back to, when he's chased around, still find somebody open. We've got to really not stop playing until the whistle blows. We've got to fly to the ball and keep to our responsibilities throughout the play. We can't let up at all."

Schweitzer speaks

The Railers got a special treat at their weekly Thursday night team dinner.

Former football coach Ken Schweitzer addressed the team. Schweitzer, who currently serves as a radio analyst for Lincoln football games, spoke to the squad about highly successful Railer teams of the 1980s while mixing in discussions of life lessons.

The former coach also brought a gift to McDonald: a team picture of the 1984 squad that finished the season with a 9-2 record. McDonald played on that squad.

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"I didn't recognize any of the kids. I've been retired way too long," said Schweitzer, who served as a guidance counselor at LCHS in addition to his coaching responsibilities. "But we used to do things like this when I coached, too.

"I think it's a neat idea for him to have other people talk to them, too. I think it's good for kids to hear from adults, some life lessons."

Talking about the 1984 squad still brings a smile to Schweitzer's face.

"None of them were even born then. But it can happen here. It has happened here," said Schweitzer, who served as the defensive coordinator on that team. "So why not remind them? That's part of what history is: what can be done, what has happened."

As a linebacker on that 1984 squad, McDonald knew Schweitzer well and has fond memories of playing for Schweitzer's defense.

"He was a guy you loved to play for," said McDonald. "He was a very even-keeled guy. He was a very good teacher of the game, and you knew that he cared about us, not just as players but as students and kids. Guys enjoyed playing for him and our other coaches."

Schweitzer is part of a series of speakers McDonald is bringing in this season to speak to players, with the idea being to bring in people who can motivate them as athletes and also as students.

It's also about building confidence and instilling a sense of pride, McDonald says.

"I think our guys are mature enough to appreciate when somebody takes their time out to talk to them," said McDonald. "I hope it's a boost to their confidence as a Lincoln High School football player, because, to be honest, these guys have all grown up and never seen a football team with a winning record. That's all they know.

"The intention is to bring in some past history and let them know there's a lot of great pride in Lincoln football in previous ages. We still have that pride in what they're doing."

[By JUSTIN TIERNEY]

Justin Tierney's Railer football reports

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