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 From Ohio State University's 'dotting of the I' to Notre Dame's
'Play Like a Champion Sign.'
Lincoln High School is no different, the Railers have their own
tradition. But it's a tradition few outsiders ever get to see.
Each week, the night before the game, the team crowds into a room at
the Immanuel Lutheran Church for a meal.
Because it's tradition it happens every week, every year, and for
the seniors in the class of 2016 it happened for the last time
Wednesday.
“It's been setting in for a while now,” senior linebacker Ryan
Rutschke said as he settled in for a huge meal of biscuits and
gravy. “Knowing we have only one game left. It's hard to believe
it's already here.”
Lincoln usually plays just nine games a year, the Railer haven't
been close to the playoffs in many years.
The team is 0-8 heading into this week's match-up with Lanphier High
School.
But few of the players talked about the game, or the Lions, or even
playing football.
Instead the other tradition of meal night took over.
The older players all stood, one by one, and talked with the
underclassmen who will take over the program starting Friday.
“I told these guys it goes by faster than you think,” Rutschke said.
Seniors lineman Ben Steiner said younger players need to cherish the
moments, even if they don't realize it yet.
“It's hard to believe we'll never put on a helmet and pads again,”
Steiner said.
New coach Seth Bass said the traditions that Steiner and the rest of
the class of 2016 leave behind are all part of their legacy.
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“We've thanked the seniors,” Bass said about his conversations with
his team week. “Thanked them for the legacy they leave behind as to
what it means to be a Railer football player.”
Bass said he's already turning an eye toward next year, but he's not
looking past the final game.
Lanphier has won three games this year. Bass said they're like the
other two teams from the capital city.
“They're fast, just like all of the Springfield schools,” Bass said.
“They're kinda of all over the place. They're very. Very aggressive
and that gets them out of position quite often. It's nothing we
haven't seen before.”
Bass said if the Railer defense can keep them contained, they can
have success.
Lincoln is playing on Thursday because of the shared field at
Memorial stadium in Springfield.
Kick off is Thursday night at 7 pm.
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