|
 The Class of 2016 knows they have just two games left this season.
And Friday night's match-up against Jacksonville High School will be
their Senior Night.
“Throughout the week it's really set in more and more,” senior
quarterback Garrett Aeilts said Thursday.
The seniors were freshmen the last time Lincoln won a varsity game.
It's been a tough few years.
“Not everybody gets to play under the lights on a Friday night,”
senior linebacker Ryan Rutschke said as he looked back at his four
years as a Railer. “It means a lot.”
New coach Seth Bass only had one year with the Class of 2016, but
told them from the beginning to think about these last games. And
play each game with a sense of purpose.
“We've talked to them all year about leaving a legacy,” Bass said.
“And this is their final time leave a legacy at home.”
The game itself means more for Jacksonville.
The Crimsons are 4-3 and need two more wins to secure a playoff
spot.
Lincoln is winless on the year, and playing for pride.
“It's our seniors' final home game,” Bass noted. “How we come out
will really be determined by how they handle things.”
Aeilts expects to have some feelings to deal with Friday night.
[to top of second column] |
“Coming into this game, you know there's going to be a lot of
emotions, a lot of things running through our heads,” Aeilts
admitted. “But even with all of the emotion, we have to...make sure
we focus on the game.”
Jacksonville's three losses have come to the Central State Eight's
three powerhouses, Sacred Heart Griffin, Decatur Eisenhower, and
Rochester High School. Their final game will come against Chatham
Glenwood.
Lincoln has lost everyone, but coach Bass said on paper the Railer
stack-up well against the Crimsons.
“It's a team that looks a lot like us, athletically,” Bass said.
“It's a team that I really think, in an ordinary year, that we'd put
it too. We'll see what we do tonight.”
Lincoln's troubles are with scoring. The Railers can't get the ball
in the end zone and can't other teams out.
Rutschke said Jacksonville may try and pile it on.
“They're a good team,” the senior defender said. “They like to run
Trips a lot, the like to run the ball.”
Lincoln hosts Jacksonville at 7pm at Handlin Field for Senior Night.
[pictures
by Sherri Sparrow]
 |
