Friday, October 31, 2008

Pats Fall 53-20

Lincoln went on the road for the third straight week, and lost to the Scott County Cardinals 53-20. The Pats trailed 20 to 0 after the 1st quarter, and never recovered.

The LC rushing attack was in full force, Trey Edwards and Skyler Gilbert both ran for over 100 yards. Gilbert ran for one touchdown, and caught two through the air. Trey Edwards started the game at halfback, and moved over to quarterback in the second quarter. He ignited the offense, throwing a td pass in the second quarter and adding one more in the second half.

On to Hopkinsville...

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

LC visits Scott County....Again

The 1-7 Lincoln County Patriots will travel to Georgetown this Friday night to play the Scott County Cardinals. This marks the second straight year that the Pats will travel to Scott County. You know, the good old we come to your place two straight years scheduling, where the road team is awarded (I hope at least) some of the gate.

Anyway, the scheduling this year was really bad. Finishing the season with four straight road games is craziness. That's one thing I would like to see changed before next season. I assume the old regime was having a hard time filling out the schedule and just agreed to take an away/away series to do so, against a quality opponent.

This is going to be another very tough match up. Scott County is quite possibly the best team the Pats have played all year. They ranked in the top five in 6A in almost every poll you look at. They enter the contest with a 6-2 record (3-0, district). The only common opponent between the two is Tates Creek. The Pats lost to Tates Creek in the second week of the season and the Cardinals just recently beat Tates Creek 34-20.

I hope to see a better crowd up in G-town this week, I was ashamed of the turnout last week in Somerset. Lincoln County Patriot fans are too faithful to quit on the season, get out and show the seniors how appreciative you are of their careers at Lincoln. Go to the game this Friday.

The kickoff is set for 7:30 pm. One side note, last year the Scott County band did a halftime Halloween show. It pretty much rocked, so if you go stay in your seats at the half and see if they do it again. You won't be disappointed.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Pats Get Blown Out

Lincoln lost 54-27 to Pulaski County. Not much good to take away from this game, after the first quarter. The Pats led 13-12 after the first and did score again until the fourth quarter. They trail 54-13 going into the fourth quarter.

The team played with little effort on the defensive side of the ball, and the offense never could get going because of fumbles and penalties. The lost puts the Pats at 1-7, with road games against Scott Co. and Hopkinsville still to come.

Better luck next week, people please get out and support this team. The crowd tonight was awful. I know it was bad weather and all....... but that was one of the worse crowds I have ever seen for an LC road game.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Trey Edwards Receives Statwide Recognition

Lincoln County's Trey Edwards has been named the 5a high school football Primetime Performer of the Week. Edwards picked up 193 yards and 3 td's in leading Lincoln County to their first victory of the season last Friday night against Garrard County (40-20).

Primetime Prep Performers are chosen weekly on tomleachky.com. Good work Trey, hopefully we will see more of the same this week.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

We Can't Even Get Our Own Article

It has been a rough year for Lincoln, but man, this is a new low. Evident ally the Advocate Messenger doesn't think enough of the Patriots to give them their own game preview anymore.

Instead, they are grouping the Pats in with Casey County now. Talking about how they can both be spoilers. Come on, times are bad.... but Casey County. The same Casey County team that was blown out by Garrard. You know the rest of the story.

http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=44984&format=html

Oh well, if the A.M. thinks Lincoln Football is on the same level as Casey County it just shows how much they know about football. Lincoln would beat Casey by five or six touchdowns, not that it matters or will happen.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

The Big Road Machine Heads to Somerset

Lincoln County will be going on the road for the second straight week this Friday night when they visit the Pulaski County Maroons in Somerset at 7 pm. The road game is the second in a stretch of four to end the season. The Pats finish the season with Pulaski County, at Scott County and the finale against Hopkinsville in Christian County. Man, that is some serious travelling, good thing those gas prices have dropped back under $3.00 a gallon.

Pulaski County enters the contest 4-3, 3-1 in district play. The Maroons have been somewhat of a disappointment. They were considered an early season dark horse to make some noise in class 5a, but have been unable to get there defense on track. They are giving up 35 points per game and are scoring 34.

They have a very explosive offense. They, like seemingly every other team in KY, run the spread offense. They have a dual threat QB that can beat you with the arm and the legs. Hopefully the Pats will figure out a way to bottle him up like they did twice last year. PC is coming off a bad loss to Wayne County and probably have the memories of two (the only two games they lost all season) games where they were manhandled by the Pats last year. I fully expect PC to bring their best game.

On the other hand, it appear that the Pats (1-6, 0-3) have discovered their identity with Trey Edwards moving to HB. They loaded up the ole' wishbone and rammed it right down Garrard's throat last weekend. They had numerous strong runs right up the middle with Tanner Edgington, Skyler Gilbert and Edwards. Sprinkle in a little Julian Calhoun and you have quite the formidable rushing attack. The Maroons are suspect against the run, so LC may be able to do some damage on the ground. Especially if the muddy field happens, which is looking more and more likely.

The key to victory is line play on both sides of the ball. The O-line has to block like it did last week, by far the best they have looked all season. They whipped Garrard County up front. The defensive line has to do the same, DOMINATE the line of scrimmage and find a way to get pressure in the passing game. It will be important to get pressure with the lineman, because they will need all the help in secondary they can get.

Go Pats.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Pats Blast Golden Lions

No matter how bad things are, it feels good to know that Lincoln County is STILL better than Garrard County. The Pats got their first victory of the season for first season Head Coach Mike Settles, 40-20 in Lancaster on Friday night.

Lincoln got on the board first, and keep the lead all night. The Pats, lead by two Drew Jackson to Skyler Gilbert passing scores, took a 20-6 lead into the locker room at half-time. LC dominated the line of scrimmage all night. LC held Garrard to 15 yards rushing and ran for 284 yards.

The big gainer for LC was senior QB/HB (do-it-all) Trey Edwards. Edwards gained 193 yards rushing and picked up 3 TD's. Lincoln also got good rushing performances from Skyler Gilbert and Tanner Edgington. Edgington played great on both sides of the ball. He ran hard and hit hard for the Pats. Gilbert, as usual, lead the team in tackles. Seniors Wes Camel, Rob Conatser and Ben Harris also had impressive games on defense.

It was great to see the team get a win. The kids and coaches deserved it. They have worked hard and fought hard all year. That being said, this was by FAR the hardest the team has played all year. They brought the fight to Garrard County from the opening kickoff (when LC won the toss and elected to receive). LC controlled the line of scrimmage on offense and defense. It was easily the best game that the O-line has played all year.

A great win... LC came in as the underdog, and beat Garrard County BADLY. The game wasn't close.

I heard Larry Vaught, on the PBK Scoreboard Show on WPBK-FM, after the game talking about some area scores. When he was told that LC beat GC 40-20, he said he was schocked, he said he expected the score to be the complete opposite.

Just remember Patriot fans, no matter how bad things are, it could always be worse-Garrard County. Hopefully, this will be the first of many wins for Coach Settles at Lincoln County.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Pats Get Hammered: 58-20

Another BAD loss for the Pats. It was bad from the opening kickoff. South Laurel returned the opening kickoff 90 yds to go up 7-0, and rolled on to a 58-20 victory in Death Valley spoiled the 2008 version of senior night.

Senior Drew Jackson and Austin Hinds split time at QB. They combined to go 6/21 on the night. The Pats opening night starter at QB (who has been injured) returned to the line-up tonight in a familiar position. Tre Edwards lead the Pats in rushing, finishing with 83 yards and two touchdowns.

Overall the team did an awful job of locating the ball, and tackling the ball carrier in the first half. South Laurel basically scored at will.

Hopefully the boys will get the elusive first "W" of the season next week in Lancaster.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Senior Night

Friday night is senior night at Death Valley. It sure would be nice for these seniors, who have had great careers, to get their first win of the season in their last regular season game at Death Valley.

The Pats will be playing the South Laurel Cardinals, in a very important district game. South Laurel enters the game with an 2-3 record (0-2) in district play. This game is important for making the playoffs. I know, it seems a bit unrealistic to be talking playoffs when you are 0-5, but the truth of the matter is that the winner of this game will probably secure the last seed in the district, and make he playoffs.

South Laurel is a high scoring team, averaging over 44 pts per game. However, they give up a lot of points too, allowing opponents to score over 40 pts per game on them. They like to air it out, which should play into LC's favor. Having already faced some other pass happy offenses this season in Anderson County (scrimmage), Washington County and Southwestern Pulaski. The Pats should be able hang a few points on SL.

The keys to the game, in my opinion, are limiting turnovers and running the football. The Pats have some decent running backs, the problem is that they have got behind early in games and have had to get away from the running game in order to try to catch up. If they Pats can come out and get the running game on track, not turn the ball over, they have a chance to pull this one out. Here's hoping they do just that...

Friday, October 3, 2008

Early Turnover Costly

Lincoln County couldn't get their first victory of the year on homecoming, falling to the Rockcastle Rockets 35-13. The Rockets came into Death Valley with revenge on their mind, losing to the Pats 12-2 last year.

Lincoln County stopped Rockcastle on downs, on their first drive of the game. LC took over, and started putting together a nice drive until a costly fumble not only cost them the possession, but it cost them 6 points. The Rockets scooped up the loose ball and returned it for the games first score. They never looked back, peeling off 35 straight to lead 35-0 at half time. (Field Position killed the Pats, they keep giving RC the ball in good position to score.)

The second half was a different story, basically controlled by the Pats. They played with great effort, even trailing by 35 points the team didn't quit. Julian picked off a pass and returned it for the first score of the game for LC. Calhoun added another score late in the 4th quarter on a 76 yard td run. Calhoun had an excellent game on offense and defense.

The Pats really played a solid second half, and have something to hang their hats on shutting out the Rockets in the second half after giving up 35 in the 1st. A big reason for the defensive effort was the outstanding performance of senior linebacker Skyler Gilbert, who finished with 20 tackles and a forced fumble. (I think he just got another tackle.)

The Pats are now 0-5 with only one home game left. Next week is senior night. The Pats will host South Laurel, at team that likes to throw the ball and a team that scores a ton of points. The Pats still have games at Garrard Co., Scott Co., Hopkinsville and Pulaski County.

Get out and support this young team.