Charleston edges Lincoln 24-21 on Homecoming Night

[September 23, 2019]  The Lincoln Railers Football Team was close to their first win on Friday night as the school celebrated Homecoming, but it was the Charleston Trojans dashing the hopes of all Railer fans.

The Trojans took a 24-21 lead over Lincoln with 4:45 remaining in the game.

The Railers had an opportunity to score at the end of the game but penalties and an incomplete pass in the end zone changed the course of the game back in favor of the Trojans.

With 1:09 remaining in the game the ball belonged to Charleston and as time ticked away the 24-21 victory belonged to the Trojans too.

Charleston scored the first touchdown of the game in the first quarter on a 3-yard run by Brayden Doyle. With 4:00 minutes showing on the clock Connor Woodley's kick for the extra point was good and Charleston jumped in front 7-0.

The Trojans offense added a 3-point field goal in the second quarter and extended the lead to 10-0.

Payton Anderson finds the gap and runs in the first Railers touchdown.

Lincoln scored their first touchdown of the game at the 2:42 mark as Payton Anderson scored a 1-yard touchdown and the Homecoming crowd went crazy.

Alex Bogdanic's kick was good and the Railers trailed 10-7.

Touchdown number two is courtesy of Brandon Sweitzer. He would also score the Railers third touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter.

Lincoln took the lead with 1:33 left in the first half as Brandon Sweitzer had an exciting 6-yard touchdown run to put the Railers on top 13-10. Bogdanic's kick was good again and the Railers lead was 14-10 going into halftime.

Charleston took the lead in the third quarter on another touchdown by Doyle. The kick was no good but the Trojans held a 16-14 advantage over Lincoln.

Lincoln regained the lead in the fourth quarter as Sweitzer scored his second touchdown of the game. Another perfect kick by Bogdanic and the Railers were back on top 21-16 with 6:50 left to play in the game.

Sam Schuette would score a touchdown for Charleston with 4:45 remaining in the game and with the Trojans taking complete advantage of a 2-point conversion the lead was 24-21 in favor of the visitors.

Despite a really great carry by Sweitzer late in the fourth quarter, Lincoln could not cash in and the Trojans walked away with the 24-21 win.

Lincoln falls to 0-4 in Week 4.

Charleston evens their record at 2-2.

Lincoln will play at home next Friday night versus Collinsville.

[pictures & story by Teena Lowery]