Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Lincoln’s Defense Keeps Gentry Bottled Up
WOLVES TAKE DOWN PIONEERS
LINCOLN — A fast start helped Lincoln get the jump on Gentry with a 21-0 first quarter lead, the Wolves turned into a 28-0 conference win in the rain on Friday.
Lincoln’s offense and special teams had their foot on the throttle from the get-go. Tyler Cummings returned the opening kickoff 38 yards to Lincoln’s 48 with 15 yards tacked on for a facemask. The Wolves’ offense set up shop at the Pioneer 37 and scored in lightening fashion three plays later. After Drew Harris threw to Alec Pitts for 22 yards on second down, Cummings broke through the Pioneer line for a 15-yard touchdown 56 seconds into the game.
Emilio Marrufo booted the extra- point, then successfully executed an onside kick that Lane Maddox recovered amidst a wild scramble. A fumbled snap forced the Wolves to punt but Dusty Hudson’s sack of Gentry quarterback Jarod Cousins sent the Pioneers into punt formation from their own 22.
Then came the first of consecutive shanked punts Lincoln capital- ized on and turned into points on the scoreboard.
Taking over at the Gentry 34, Lincoln reached the end zone in five plays with the Pioneers flagged for pass interference followed by offsides. Running off left tackle, Cummings plunged into the end zone from four yards out and Marrufo’s kick pushed Lincoln ahead, 14-0, at the 5:39 mark of the first period.
A minute-and-a-half later, another Gentry shanked punt travelled just six yards giving Lincoln another possession deep inside Pioneer territory at the 27. Penalties sent the Wolves in reverse but on third- and-26 from the 43, Cummings ripped off a 20-yard gain and then powered his way 19 yards to the Gentry four setting up his third score from a yard away. Marrufo’s foot added the P.A.T. And Lincoln led 21-0 with 56 seconds still showing in the first quarter.
Cummings intercepted Cousins in the second quarter and for the most part Lincoln’s defense contained the Pioneer quarterback, who came in off a 246 yard, five touchdown rushing performance against Pea Ridge the previous week. Cousins completed just 1 of 14 passing attempts for seven yards and was held to 50 yards rushing on 23 carries with 27 of those coming on a single run.
“Nice job in the conditions, way to overcome the elements,” said Lincoln coach Brad Harris, lauding the performance by the Wolves in the rain.
Cummings toted the ball 36 times for 220 yards and 4 touchdowns including Lincoln’s last score, a 2-yard run with 15 seconds remaining in the first half. The drive started at Lincoln’s 41 but actually covered 69 yards because of a penalty and consumed 3:53.
Neither team scored in the second half although Marrufo was just short on a 47-yard field goal hampered by the rain and Lincoln fumbled the ball into the end zone for a touchback to end another drive. Lincoln held the ball for the final 6: 50 and outgained Gentry 328 to 61 yards in total offense. Drew Harris completed 3 of 8 passes for 46 yards and ran the ball 15 times for 64 yards.
“The footing was alright. The grass held up well. We knew the weather would come and we were prepared for it,” said Lincoln senior Zach Hall.
“We had some penalties that hurt us but we ran the ball like we wanted to,” Brad Harris said. “We knew we were going to rely on Tyler heavily and he came through for us.”
Lincoln plays Gravette at home on Friday at 7 p.m.