Lincoln's Winning Season Hangs In The Balance

[October 05, 2018]  By Benjamin Yount

LINCOLN – The playoffs are a long shot for Lincoln.

The Railers are 2-4 on the season, and it takes six wins to lock-up a playoff berth.

But a winning season is still very possible.

“We're just focused on Woodstock North,” Lincoln coach Matt Silkowski said Thursday. “The focus is to beat Woodstock North, and then move-on from there. And that's how it should be.”

Woodstock North is from northern Illinois, a Class 4A school from the Kishwaukee River Conference. The Thunder,, as they are called, are also 2-4 on the season. Coach Silkowski said they'll be an even match for the Railsplitters.

“Their school size is very similar team to us, they are overall very similar to us. Except in the offense they run,” Silkowski explained.

Woodstock North runs the triple option offense.

“They have a real athletic quarterback, not too big in size, but definitely a good triple option quarterback,” Silkowski said.

LCHS coach Jake Harnacke talks with two Railers at practice. It's still possible for Lincoln to have a winning season. 

Lincoln Quarterback Dreyden Pozsgei drops back to pass in practice. Lincoln welcomes Woodstock North to Handlin Field Friday night. 

Not that Lincoln has been slouching in recent weeks.

The Railers are playing their best football of the year.

Lincoln held its own against Taylorville two weeks ago, and came back from a five point deficit in the last two minutes of last week's game to beat Charleston.

Silkowski hopes to have some more offense this week.

“Noah Funk will be back. Tyler Vance will be back. We're glad to have those guys back,” Silkowski said. Both had to sit because of concussion issues. “We'll probably ease Vance back in. But we'll throw Noah to the wolves this week.”

Lincoln plays at home for the next two weeks, then will close out their season on the road in Freeburg.

If Lincoln wins all three games it will be the first winning season for the Railsplitters in more than 20 years.

The Lincoln Railsplitters welcome the Woodstock North Thunder to Handlin Field Friday night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

[story and photos by Benjamin Yount]