Lincoln County's Red Devils overcame a blocked punt and 129 yards in penalties to defeat the Hancock Central Bulldogs 36-12 in Sparta.
Our Devils jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead on a 26-yard run by A. G. Middlebrooks and a 12-yard run by Carlous Hearst.
Big Red was driving again early in the second quarter when a fumbled handoff was recovered by the home team. Five plays later the Bulldogs connected on a 34-yard touchdown pass when our Devils apparently blew the coverage. The PAT kick failed, but the margin was cut to 14-6 and momentum had swung to Hancock.
The Devils were unable to move the ball on their next possession, and a penalty pushed the Devils back toward their endzone. The Bulldogs blocked the Devils' punt attempt, recovering in the endzone. The two-point conversion pass was caught just out of bounds, leaving the score 14-12 with 1:12 left in the half.
Lincoln County composed themselves quickly, with Alex Ellis running the ensuring kickoff back 73 yards to just shy of the goalline. Hearst scored from the one and Vance Tarver's PAT kick gave the Devils a 21-12 halftime lead.
The Devil Defense reasserted itself in the second half, giving up only 33 yards in offense. The Bulldog QB was caught in the endzone for a safety with 3:57 left in the third.
After the safety kickoff, Jafabian Green scored from 2 yards out with 10:55 to go. Tarver's low kick barely made it over the goalpost crossbar, but the officials signalled the PAT attempt no good.
Big Red closed out the scoring with 4:35 left in the game with backup QB Bo Reed found Wilkes Goolsby open from 20 yards out.
Middlebrooks led the Devils' offense with 96 yards on 9 carries on the ground, two receptions for 27 yards, and a 30-yard kickoff return.
The Devils travel to Irwinton to play Wilkinson County this coming Friday.
Click here for Scott Michaux game story