By Rob Calhoun

Lincoln used a potent running attack and a ball control offense to hold off Charleston, 14-6, in high school football action.  

Charleston took the opening kickoff and marched right down the field, getting to the Lincoln 29-yard-line.  A holding penalty pushed the Trojans back, forcing a punt.  Connor Woodley hit a 33-yard punt to pin the Railers at the 6-yard line.

The bad field position was not a deterrent to Lincoln.  Behind the running of Ki’on Carson, who had carries of 20, 22, and 17 yards, the Railers were able to get the ball deep into Charleston territory.  A couple of bad snaps lost Lincoln some yards and the Trojans were able to take over on downs at the 16-yard-line.

Charleston started moving the ball again, getting to near midfield. Another holding penalty hampered the Trojans, forcing another Woodley punt, this time a nice 42-yard kick.

Lincoln would not be denied on the second possession of the game.  Starting at their own 34, the Railers used eight plays to find the end zone on a 16-yard-run by Isaac Decker.  The attempt for the two-point conversion was good as Decker took a pass from Elijah Pollice to make the score 8-0.

Charleston was not able to do much the next time they had possession, despite crossing midfield again.  The Trojans got one first down on a 23 yard pass from Jack Nelson to Hunter White, before turning the ball over on downs.

Lincoln was threatening to score before the half.  The Railers had more than three minutes to score after starting at their own 31.  Lincoln moved to Charleston’s 19-yard-line before a couple of penalties pushed them back.  The Railers converting on a 4th and 21 play on a pass from Pollice to Carson, giving them a first down at the 12.  However, time ran out on the half.

Lincoln started with the ball in the second half, but a couple of penalties helped stall the drive.  Charleston took over at the 25 and did not waste any time.  After a Langdon King short catch, Lincoln was called for a personal foul penalty, moving the ball to the 46.  On the next play, Nelson hit Wade Wright on a 53-yard pass to the 1-yard-line.  On the next play, Nelson scored on a 1-yard run with the attempt for the two-point conversion failing to make it 8-6.

The next drive was a time consuming one for the Railers.  Lincoln went 17 plays and took 8:07 off the clock before scoring its second touchdown.  Carson scored on a 2-yard run with the try for two failing to make the score 14-6.

After the two teams had short drives resulting in punts, Charleston took over and went to the bench to Jeremiah Hayes. He had a 3-yard run and catches of 16 and 15 yards to get Charleston to Lincoln’s 16-yard-line.  Nelson threw an interception on the next play to stop the drive.

Two plays later, the Charleston defense came up big, forcing a Decker fumble.  The Trojans gave it right back as Nelson, who was getting heavy pressure, got sacked and fumbled.  Lincoln recovered and was able to run out the clock.

Lincoln ended the game with a time of possession advantage of 31:05 to 16:55.  The Railers ran 65 offensive plays to 38 for Charleston.

Lincoln is 2-0 overall and 1-0 in Apollo Conference play.  The Trojans are 1-1 and 0-1 in the league.  Charleston will be at home on Sept. 10t against Effingham at 7 p.m.

QTRTIMETEAMSCOREPAT
1 No scoring 
25:49LHSIsaac Decker16RunIsaac Decker Pass From Elijah Pollice
36:43CHSJack Nelson1Runrun failed
410:36LHSKi’on Carson2Runpass intercepted

RUSHING

Charleston: Nate Shrader 4-15; Zayvion Johnson-Mitchell 5-10; Jeremiah Hayes 1-3; Jack Nelson 9-(-24) 1 TD  Lincoln: Ki’on Carson 16-134 1 TD; Isaac Decker 12-95 1 TD; Tony Gandolfi 10-50; Elijah Pollice 9-24; Payton Johnson 2-(-2)

PASSING

Charleston: Jack Nelson 14-19 186 1 INT; Lincoln: Elijah Pollice 9-16 108

RECEIVING

Charleston: Wade Wright 2-59; Hunter White 3-47; Jeremiah Hayes 2-30; Zayvion Johnson-Mitchell 3-21; Langdon King 2-17; Nate Shrader 1-8; Seth Howell 1-3; Lincoln: Isaac Decker 2-31; Ki’on Carson 3-29; Trey Schilling 3-25; Tony Gandolfi 1-23

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