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 The Panthers are a terror on
offensive, their quarterback Cayleb Dehority is averaging 244
passing yards per game this season. Eisenhower has scored 120 point
in their first three games, and that includes match-ups against
Sacred Heart Griffin and Rochester.
“I genuinely believe they're the best
offense in the conference, outside of SHG,” Railer Coach Seth Bass
said.
But defensively, Eisenhower has –
shall we say – issues.
The Panthers have given up 166 points
so far this year, the most of any team in the Central State Eight.
Lincoln, who's still without a win or
a point this year, has only allowed 149 points.
“Defensively they're very chaotic,”
Bass said. “They play extremely aggressive, but they're not gap
sound, they're not contain sound.”
In other words, Bass thinks this will
be the week the Railers finally reach the end zone.
“We're looking for our offense to put
up some big numbers,” senior quarterback Garrett Aeilts said
Thursday.
Aeilts is Lincoln's leading passer
with 137 yards, but as of yet not touchdowns
Junior Andrew Yount is the Railer's
leading rusher with 110-yards so far.
Yount said he expect the Railsplitters
to run the ball this week, but just not always with him as the ball
carrier.
“We're looking to change-up the
playbook this week. I'm sure the other backs are happy to get the
ball as well.”
Bass preached tempo to his team this
week, saying Lincoln has been close to breaking through in the first
three games.
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“By my count, we've left probably six
touchdowns on the field this year. Maybe even seven,” the coach said
his team is snake-bit inside the 20 yard line.
Aeilts said the Railers need just one
score to get past their bad luck.
“Not scoring all year, then getting
inside the 20, all of us get a little nervous,” Aeilts admitted
after
Thursday's final practice. “But
nerves are always there. And we're getting there, this week we'll
put it in (the end zone).”
This week begins a rough stretch for
the Railers.
Lincoln will play the conference's best teams over the next three
weeks.
Decatur Eisenhower
Friday, then a road game next week
against SHG, and a homecoming game the week after against Rochester.
“These next three weeks are going to
be rough with SHG and Rochester, two state teams, back to back,”
senior linebacker Ryan Rutschke said. “But I think it's going to be
a fight against MacArthur and Lanphier (to end the season).”
Lincoln hosts Decatur Eisenhower at
Handlin Field, kickoff is at
7 p.m.
[Benjamin Yount]
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