LINCOLN -- A heartbreaking loss in week seven, coupled with a tough opponent was a recipe for disaster Friday as Lincoln (2-6, 0-5 4A-1) lost, 49-0, at home to Shiloh Christian (7-1, 4-1).
The game was decided early with Shiloh Christian ripping off 35 points in the first quarter and adding two more scores in the second period to begin the second half with a sportsmanship, mercy-rule running clock. Lincoln coach Don Harrison, who emphasizes attitude and effort as one of his priorities in preparing for competition, didn't like what he saw.
SHILOH CHRISTIAN 49, LINCOLN 0
Shiloh Christian^35^14^0^0^—^49
Lincoln^0^0^0^0^—^0
First Quarter
Shiloh Christian — Jaret Russ 32-yard pass from Connor Reece (Oelke kick), 10:58.
Shiloh Christian — Broc Berus 3-yard run (Oelke kick), 9:29.
Shiloh Christian — Broc Berus 5-yard run (Oelke kick), 6:19.
Shiloh Christian — Connor Reece 24-yard run (Austin Howell kick), :59.
Shiloh Christian — Jake Nelson 12-yard pass from Connor Reece (Austin Howell kick), :02.
Second Quarter
Shiloh Christian — Jake Nelson 10-yard pass from Connor Reece (Austin Howell kick), 10:14.
Shiloh Christian — I’juan Litzsey 52-yard run (Austin Howell kick), 6:26.
"We just didn't play well," Harrison said. "We had a tough loss at Huntsville, 36-34, in a game we felt we should have won. It was disheartening. We kind of had a pity party for ourselves. We're hurting for leadership right now. I don't know where it's going to come from, but we need leaders."
Harrison said the coaches can only do so much to motivate players, but the team has to find a way to get themselves up for the next game. Lincoln travels to Gentry Friday. The Pioneers lost 62-28 to Prairie Grove last week and remain winless in the league.
Shiloh Christian quarterback Connor Reece (12-of-17 passing for 200 yards with 3 touchdowns) hit Jaret Russ for a 32-yard touchdown to open the scoring with game 1:02 old. Less than a minute-and-a-half later, Broc Berus added the first of a pair of first quarter touchdown runs. Reeced contributed a 24-yard scoring run and a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jake Nelson to cap the first quarter frenzy with two seconds left in the period. Reece and Nelson hooked up for another 10-yard touchdown pass 1:46 into the second quarter and I'juan Litzsey had a 52-yard run to push the Saints' lead to 49-0 with 6:26 still in the second period. Russ had six rushes for 82 yards.
"That's not to take anything away from them (Shiloh Christian)," Harrison said. "Hat's off to them. They're a good football team. They're well-coached. Those guys do a good job. They've got a big game against Pea Ridge in two weeks."
Lincoln runningback Jacob Anderson said the lop-sided loss is no reason for the team to keep their heads down. He said the Wolves must keep pushing themselves, trying to improve.
"There's no time to waste feeling sorry for ourselves," Anderson said. "If we can get a 'W' next week, we have a chance to make it to the playoffs."
Lincoln is at Gentry Friday and closes out the regular season versus Prairie Grove Nov. 4.
Sports on 10/26/2016