Railer football team keeps playoff hopes alive with thrilling 43-33 win over MacArthur

 

[October 05, 2024]  LINCOLN – The Lincoln Railer football team kept its quest for a second consecutive playoff berth alive by defeating MacArthur 43-33 in a must-win game.

Teams must compile five wins during the regular season to be eligible for playoff consideration. The Railers entered Friday’s contest 3-2 overall, so a loss would have put a serious damper on the team’s hopes to qualify for the postseason.

Things didn’t look great for the Railers early in the game. With just over a minute elapsed in the game, MacArthur jumped out to a 7-0 lead thanks to a 23-yard touchdown pass from Antonio Young to Mahjir Woods.

The game featured a pair of CS8 teams with contrasting styles: MacArthur looked to strike quickly with big plays, whereas the Railers tried to use up the clock with a sustained ground attack. Lincoln ran 12 plays on its first drive, but the Railers missed a field goal attempt from their own 30-yard line when the drive stalled.

The Railer defense forced a 3-and-out by MacArthur, thanks in large part to a pair of sacks on the possession—one from Frank Sanders and a combined sack by Paytan Bunner, Aiden Frye and Alec Schmidt.

Frank Sanders

Early in the second quarter, Tate Johnston and Paytan Bunner connected on a 13-yard touchdown pass play. Lucas Melton hit the extra point to tie the score, 7-7.

The Generals counterpunched with a 10-yard run to retake the lead at 14-7.

Then it was Lincoln’s turn, as the Railers got another Johnston-to-Bunner touchdown pass play to knot the score at 14-all.

The game was shaping up to have the feel of a heavyweight boxing match, with one boxer taking the other’s best shot before counterpunching. Just over a minute later, MacArthur struck again with a 46-yard pass play to retake the lead, 21 to 14.

Just before halftime, Lincoln drove the ball inside Macarthur’s 5-yard line, but the Generals’ defense stopped Gabe Smith before he crossed the goal line. Lincoln had no more time outs, so the clock expired, the Railers came away empty on the drive, and Macarthur led 21-14 at the half.

Paytan Bunner

Lincoln opened the second half with possession of the ball, and roughly two minutes into the half, Bunner found the endzone on a 14-yard touchdown run to tie the score at 21-21.

Not to be outdone, MacArthur reeled off a 72-yard run to move deep into Railer territory. The Generals had the ball fourth and goal at Lincoln’s 2-yard line, but the Railer defense came up with a big play to hold MacArthur out of the end zone. Lincoln took possession on downs.

Five minutes later, Lincoln’s Kyle Koehler had a 9-yard touchdown run to give the Railers their first lead of the night at 28-21 heading into the fourth quarter.

Head Coach Matt Silkowski

Less than 2 minutes into the fourth quarter, the Generals fought back again as Jamor Singleton scored on a 6-yard run to make the score 28-27. But on the extra point attempt, the Generals had trouble with the snap. Lincoln’s defense broke through the Generals’ line and Gabe Smith blocked the kick, giving the Railers 1-point advantage.

Almost 6 minutes later, Bunner runs 8 yards into the endzone for a Railer touchdown. Lincoln then scored a 2-point conversion as Johnston called his own number and crossed the goal line to give the Railers a 9 point lead, 36-27.
11 seconds later following the ensuring kickoff, MacArthur scored again, this time on a 46-yard touchdown pass play that pulled the Generals to within 3 at 36-33. MacArthur was unsuccessful on a 2-point conversion attempt, so Lincoln continued to hold the lead, 36-33.

Tate Johnston

With 2 minutes left, Lincoln ran its lead to double digits when Johnston scored on a 5-yard touchdown run. The extra point by Lucas Melton gave Lincoln a 10-point advantage at 43-33.

The Lincoln defense then did the rest as the Railers notched another sack, this one by Sanders and Aiden Frye. Macarthur looked for one more big play, but the Generals ended up turning the ball over on downs near midfield with under a minute remaining, and the Railers got their fourth victory of the year with a 43-33 win.

“It was a phenomenal night,” said Lincoln coach Matt Silkowski following the win. “We challenged our offensive line and said this was going to go with how they played, and they played very well.”

According to unofficial statistics, Lincoln outgained MacArthur in total offensive yardage 516 to 364. Johnston threw for 121 yards and 2 touchdowns on 10-of-13 passing. In addition, the Railers had three players surpass the 100 yard rushing mark: Gabe Smith (141 yards on 14 carries), Johnston (111 yards on 20 carries) and Bunner (107 yards on 21 carries).

Lincoln travels to Chatham next week to face Glenwood in another Central State 8 conference game.

[Loyd Kirby]