(LINCOLNTON, GA) The LCHS varsity Red Devils scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns here last Friday to overcome the Jenkins County Eagles 31-3. The Devils improved to 2-0 and have yet to yield a touchdown this young season.
The Eagles' very short opening kickoff was recovered by Aidan Deutschle at the LC 48. Mekhi Wade connected with CJ Crite for seven yards, followed by a five-yard run by Christian Elam. Jonathan Norman ran for eight before Kelby Glaze broke two tackles for 24 yards. Norman then scored from the eight just over two minutes into the game. Fortson Partridge booted the PAT for an early 7-0 LCHS lead.
The Eagles rushed for two first downs and reached their 38 before Glaze sacked their quarterback for an eight-yard loss. Wade returned their punt 16 yards to the LC 46. Glaze picked up nine. Norman scooted for 45 and a touchdown but a holding penalty brought the pigskin back to the LC 45. Wade rushed for 10 and then six. Glaze added four. Wade stepped over one Eagle for a 22-yard gain to the JC 13. The drive fizzled and Partridge booted a 35-yard field with 25 seconds left in the first quarter. LC led 10-0.
Jenkins County marched from their 20 to the LC 16. After a procedure penalty, the Devil Defense stopped the Eagles cold on two plays. Elam sacked the QB for an eight-yard loss. The Eagles' 46-yard field goal attempt fell short with 14 seconds left in the half. The visitors had controlled the ball for more than a quarter on their 19-play drive that came up empty.
To open the second half, the Eagles earned three first downs including 1st-&-goal at the 10. Three plays gained five yards against the tough Devil Defense. Jenkins booted a 22-yard field goal midway the third to close their deficit to 10-3.
Wade passed 13 yards over the middle to Crite for a first down at the JC 46. Wade rushed for 12, and then the Devils twice drew the Eagles offsides. A holding flag against the Devils reversed the 10-yard gain. Wade ran for eight down the right side. Glaze gained five before Wade rushed for six then two. Norman gained eight on two runs. Wade picked up four yards on 3rd-&-2 at the 5. Elam then scored from the one with 11:16 left in the game. Partridge's PAT kick was good for a 17-3 lead.
The Devil Defense again held tough and forced a punt from the JC 22. The almost-blocked punt went only seven yards. Glaze ran for 18 but a holding penalty backed the Devils up to the JC 36. Wade then let the pigskin fly with Crite making another amazing catch at the goal line. The TD came with 8:29 left int he game. Partridge made it a 24-3 advantage.
After another Eagle punt, the Devils started from their 38. Glaze rambled for 33 to the JC 26. Drew Huff gave Wade a rest at QB, and had runs of four, three, two, and then one for the touchdown. The Partridge extra point with 1:41 remaining provided the final 31-3 score.
Glaze ran seven times for 74 yards. Wade rushed eight times for 70 yards and completed three of four pass attempts for sixty yards and one TD. Crite caught all three passes.
Lincoln County's Junior Varsity substituted Washington-Wilkes for Warren County for their season opener last Thursday, but the Red Devils adjusted quickly. The Thursday trip to Tiger Stadium resulted in a resounding 35-3 victory over the Tiger Cubs. The JV hosts Greene County August 29.
The Lincoln County Middle School football team opened its season last week with a strong 48-0 win at Lake Oconee Academy. The team hosted St. Mary's of Augusta August 28 in the first of four straight home games. The team plays at Buddy Bufford Field on Wednesdays at 5:00.
The Red Devils will travel to McCormick next Friday to renew their 102-year-old rivalry with the Chiefs. McCormick lost to Strom Thurmond High in its season opener last Friday. Next month, LCHS will make its first trip to Edgefield to face Strom Thurmond. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 on Highway 28. McCormick has a clear bag policy at its stadium.
THE YARDSTICK
LC JC
First downs 12 9
Rushing 31/202 36/112
Passing 3/4/60/0 2/5/40/0
Punts 0/0 3/28
Penalties 4/35 6/35
Fumbles/Lost 1/0 1/0