Railers Focus On Small Steps In Last SHG Meeting

[September 09, 2016]  By Benjamin Yount

LINCOLN – Lincoln's Friday night game against Sacred Heart Griffin could be short.

The Cyclones scored over 100 points in their first two games, Lincoln surrendered about the same.

But the running clock isn't the concern Friday night. The weather is.

Forecasters are calling for rain and storms.

Lincoln coach Matt Silkowski wants to get the game played Friday night.

“We can't control the weather, our opponent, or the officials,” Silkowski said. “Two of those are going to be a factor.”

It's not that Silkowski wants to play the game to get SHG behind his team. He doesn't want to throw off the Railer's rhythm.

“We know, in-house, what we're doing. The positive things we've been doing,” Silkowski explained. “(Lat week) Titus (Cannon) stepped-up with 100 yards rushing. We recorded a safety. We returned a kick for a touchdown. Yeah it got called back.”

But Silkowski says he can see the growth in his team.

He's hoping to grow some more Friday night. Even if it is baby steps.

“One offense we're looking for a touchdown,” running back Titus Cannon said after Thursday's practice. “On defense we're looking for tackles for loss. And we don't want to give-up points off the kicking game.”

Cannon scored two touchdowns last week against Decatur Eisenhower.

Coach Silkowski expects to see more from Cannon, who is only a junior.

“We decided to get him some reps at running back,” the coach said. “He had the hot hand.”

Lincoln has a stable of running backs who can move the ball.

In addition to Cannon, senior starter Nathan Podujanec and junior Isiah Bowers are both seeing more carries.

That puts some more pressure on Lincoln's offensive line.

Senior center Jacob Berglin said the guys up front know the role they have to play this season.

“It's been a struggle for the line as a whole, to push off the ball,” Berglin said. “But a lot of the o-line is young, mostly sophomores, so we have some good things to come.

Senior Quarterback Andrew Yount said the next two weeks will be tough for Lincoln. After SHG on Friday night, the team goes to the Central State Eight's other perennial state championship threat Rochester.

“Both of these teams are going to be really good. And in back to back weeks,” Yount said.

But after that, it's MacArthur.

“It's no secret that MacArthur game is circled. It's homecoming. And that's the one we feel best about,” coach Silkowski added. “I want the kids excited about that game.”

The Railers will face MacArthur at home September 23.

Lincoln is set to kick-off Friday night at 7 p.m. at Handlin Field against the Sacred Heart Griffin Cyclones. If you're going to the game, bring an umbrella.

[Benjamin Yount]