A New Introduction For Railer Football

[August 19, 2016]  By Benjamin Yount

LINCOLN – First year Lincoln football coach Matt Silkowski tried to stretch every last minute out of his final summer practice Thursday.

School begins for Lincoln Friday, and the football season unofficially begins Friday night with Meet the Railers.

“We're still working. We're not where we want to be, but we've really come a long way,” Silkowski said during a break Thursday. “We're a completely different team now.”

Silkowski's squad practiced with a sense of urgency Thursday. Players ran into plays, receivers bucked to be the next to run a route, defenders popped ball carriers.

Senior defender Zach Montcalm said this Lincoln team understands they only way they're going to improve their record is to improve their effort.
“I think we're more prepared,” Montcalm said. “I think we're more prepared than last year. We have more plays.”

The Railers are turning to a spread offense this year. Four receivers often split out wide, maybe there is a single running back.
Senior quarterback Andrew Yount said the offense won't look to run the ball up the middle nearly as much as last year.

“We have the ability to throw, and mix up the looks for the defense,” Yount said. “We have experience coming back on the outside. (Quentin) Bone and Titus (Cannon) both played a lot of varsity minutes last year.”

Silkowski said parents and fans will get a glimpse of the new offense at Friday night's Meet the Railers. But only a glimpse.

“They'll see some new formations. They'll see the spread looks, but they won't see the full package,” Silkowski said he doesn't want to tip his hand to first week opponent Springfield High School.
The biggest challenge for the new coach, however, won't be a new offense.

Railers on the sidelines

Lincoln High School hasn't won a football game in three years. Lincoln's last win came against Olympia in 2012.

Silkowski hopes to change that this year. But acknowledges the Central State Eight is one of the best football conferences in the state.

“I know a lot of people are striving for a win,” the coach said. “But you can have a really good season, see a lot of improvement, and still go 0-9.”
Senior linebacker Trent Whitham said this senior class is focused on more than improvement. They are focused on a win and a better legacy.

“Its our last year in the CS-Eight, it's my last year,” Whitham said. “It means everything.”
The Railers will scrimmage Friday night at Handlin Field for Meet the Railers.

Lincoln kicks-off the season at home next Friday against Springfield High.

Whitman on the defense