|
 The best football conference in the state has two dynasties
defending their state championships, and a half dozen other teams
that are likely playoff bound.
There's no way Lincoln, which hasn't won a game in two years, can
compete.
Not if you look at it like that.
If you look at the 2015 season, and Friday's home opener against
Chatham Glenwood, like Coach Seth Bass a win is not that elusive.
“If you narrow it down for them,” Bass said after Thursday's
practice. “They're just beating the man across from them. They're
doing their job on each play.”
Bass said if you shrink the season not just into single games, but
into single plays, then Lincoln can compete.
The Railsplitters will play before their first home crowd of the
season Friday Night, but it won't be an easy game.
Chatham Glenwood is ranked 10th in Class 6A, and scored 49 points in
a blowout win against Decatur MacArthur last week.
Bass said the numbers look lopsided, but thinks his team stacks-up
better against Chatham than the Railers did against Southeast.
“They're about the same size as us, we may even be a little bit
bigger. They're about the same speed as us. It just boils down to
confidence,” Bass said.
The first year coach is trying to install that confidence in his
team, which is why the Splitters spent most of the week focusing on
shrinking the game.
Senior offensive lineman Sage Conrady said the younger Railers
learned last week that they can take a hit and still keep their
focus.
[to top of second column] |
“It seemed like they were shell shocked cause they're younger
players,” the senior captain said. “But as the game went on we
started to get it. Hopefully that'll be the case this week.”
Bass added a few new wrinkles for the offense this week, but
preached fundamentals for his defensive squad.
Junior safety Alex Linares said the Railsplitter defense learned a
lot of lessons with the opening week loss to Springfield Southeast
High School.
“We focused a lot (this week) on closing gaps and not arm tackling,”
Linares said. “Tackling was a big problem in our last game.”
Friday's game is Bass' first at Handlin Field, which he's nicknaming
'The Rail Yard.'
“We'll have a few atmosphere things,” Bass said. “We want the fans
'Raising the L' just like the players do, we'll have the train
whistle out there, we'll have a few other things. We want The Rail
Yard to be a hostile place for the opponents to come in, we want
teams to eventually fear coming to Lincoln.”
Lincoln hosts Chatham Glenwood Friday night at 7pm at Handlin Field.
[Benjamin Yount]
 |
