Lincoln Begins New Chapter In Football History

Congratulations to the Lincoln Wolves on their 71-0 win over Dover on Friday. No, I am not kidding as one of my newspaper colleagues asked when I texted the score. They did win by that margin. It was a night to celebrate. There were a lot of small victories contained within that large team win — some referred to by Lincoln assistant football coach Justin Bounds as the keynote speaker at a team breakfast hosted by the First Baptist Church of Lincoln on Friday morning.

Bounds talked about the history of shutouts in the Lincoln football program, noting the Wolves were 13-24 (coming into Friday’s game) in shutouts with their worst shutout loss, a 59-0 setback to Shiloh Christian in 2007; and their best shutout win, a 42-0, homecoming victory over Haileyville, Oklahoma in 2011. Bounds talked about how at one point in the not too distant past, Lincoln held the longest losing streak in Arkansas with 29 consecutive losses, noting the program had been shut out of the win column for nearly three seasons.

“All that has changed now,” Bounds said.

Bounds referred to a 6-0 shutout loss at Gravette last season as the game, which cost the Wolves a playoff berth.

“Being shut out in football is one thing but being shut out of God’s kingdom when you die is another,” Bounds said.

“The best decision you’ll ever make is to accept Jesus as Lord of your life. You’re one play away from accepting the Lord and following him. It’s a total life change,” Bound said.

Bounds was instrumental in the recent establishment of a Lincoln chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

“One way to reach the next generation is through FCA. There is a lot of excitement about it. Coaches come into contact with more people, there is so much contact, so much influence in a kid’s life,” Bounds said.

Bounds envisions a motto of “G3,” which he explained stands for give God the glory.

“During the heat of battle somebody can get really frustrated. You can just say ‘G3’ and remind them to give God the glory,” Bounds said.

According to Bounds when Adrian Risley, Lincoln volleyball coach, was still in high school, Lincoln had a chapter but by the time Risley returned and began working at the school, something had happened and the fellowship went away.

“I’ve come to the realization coaching is my platform. The ultimate goal is to bring more kids to Christ,” Bounds said.

According to Bounds, FCA huddles are ongoing with each Lincoln athletic program hosting their own and he plans to do one during baseball in the spring.

His comments were made well in advance of Friday’s contest at Dover. If play on the field is any indication, the response to the introduction of FCA at Lincoln and community support for the football program from local churches might be overwhelming. Lincoln rewrote their shutout history Friday night in beating Dover, 71-0, setting school records for the most points in a game, most points in a half (50), largest margin of victory, and biggest shutout win.

Junior quarterback Drew Harris was well-protected by the offensive line, completing 13-of-18 passes for 320 yards and five touchdowns — all in the first half. Receiver Alec Pitts had six catches for 176 yards and two touchdowns, including a 90-yarder. Senior Receiver Dalton Simmons had three catches for 116 yards scoring on each play. Senior defensive end Brandon Crews made a quarterback sack for a safety. Junior Emilio Maruffo kicked a 48-yard field goal, adding a 27-yarder and nine extrapoints; and senior Ryan Holcomb, who is challenged with autism, intercepted a deflected pass, to end the game.

On the bus ride home, small wonder suggestion was made to have Bounds speak again prior to this Friday’s Homecoming game against Berryville.