Homecoming 2016: Best Game/Worst Game For Railers

[September 24, 2016]  By Benjamin Yount, pictures by Sherri Sparrow

LINCOLN – The Lincoln Railers found themselves in unfamiliar territory Friday night.

Lincoln was locked in a scoreless game about halfway through the first quarter.

Then Decatur MacArthur quarterback Amir Bremmett scampered and bolted from the backfield. Two plays later MacArthur lead 7-0.

But instead of folding, Lincoln dug in.
The Railers rushed for nearly 300 yards Friday night, Titus Cannon lead the way. But Isaih Bowers and Andrew Yount also carried the ball several times.

It was Cannon who followed the Decatur score with a gutty run up the middle.

But on his way to the ground the ball squirted out. A few plays later MacArthur lead 14-0.

Decatur scored 21 unanswered points off Lincoln turnovers Friday night on way to a 41-13 win that spoiled Lincoln's homecoming.

“We put the ball on the ground a couple times. We threw a pick-six. We didn't play disciplined defense,” Lincoln coach Matt Silkowski said.

Lincoln gave up 35 points in the first half.

But played better than the scoreboard showed.

The Railers were able to move the ball on offense by chunks.

Cannon rushed for nearly 200 yards and scored one of the Railers' touchdowns.

“This isn't where we want to be,” Cannon said of the latest Lincoln loss. “But it's a step in the right direction.”

Bowers, who scored the other of Lincoln's touchdowns said the offense put together a handful of drives. Had they not turned the ball over, the score may have been different.

“Our linemen did a great job during that second half “Bowers added. “The line is the main reason why we got those two touchdowns.”

Lincoln has already scored as many touchdowns this season as all of last.

But it was too little too late.

Lincoln's strong second half ended as MacArthur ran out the clock to get its first win of the season.

“It's just disappointing,” Soikowski said of the homecoming loss. “But I still think we (can compete) with these guys. You just can't make those mistakes.”

Lincoln falls to 0-5 on the season. Decatur MacArthur is now 1-4.

The Railers travel to Jacksonville next week.