LINCOLN -- Lincoln broke into the win column in 4A-1 Conference play in a big way with a 39-0 victory at Berryville Friday.
"We've got guys where we want them, we just have to stay healthy and keep getting better," said Lincoln coach Don Harrison, who praised the play of senior receiver Braden Umberson, who has 45 pass receptions for 636 yards and 8 touchdowns and 9 rushes for 46 yards through six games.
"He's got close to 700 yards of total offense," Harrison said.
The Wolves began the season relying heavily on their passing game, but in recent weeks have ran the ball a lot against defenses spread out to cover Lincoln receivers. On the road Friday, they ground out 136 yards and 2 touchdowns on 26 rushing attempts. Those totals were reduced by three sacks which lost 22 yards.
"We've got to do a better job of making reads, get rid of the football," Harrison said.
On the Wolves' first series they picked up two first downs before losing a fumble after a completed pass.
"The (Berryville) kid did a good job of getting his hands on the ball and knocking it out," Harrison said. "Not a good way to start the game, but we overcame it."
Converted tailback Yue Phen Lee ran 12 times for 65 yards and a touchdown and quarterback Caleb Lloyd carried the football 4 times for 31 yards. Umberson has been a ball-carrier as of late with injuries to Lincoln runningbacks. Umberson averaged 6.8 yards on 4 rushes for 27 yards. The Wolves took a 7-0 lead in the second quarter on an Umberson 7-yard catch.
When Lincoln got the ball back, they advanced quickly when Umberson exploded for an 80-yard gain on a pass reception that Harrison said was the Wolves' longest play of the season. Umberson, a solid 6-2, 195, battled Bobcat cornerback Wyatt Poe (6-1, 175), who was desperately trying to keep him out of the end zone after the long gain. Despite Poe's best efforts to drag Umberson down at the one, the Wolves scored anyway. Jacob Anderson, whose carries have been limited in recent weeks after getting banged up, scored a rushing touchdown. Paul Frogg booted his second extra-point and the Wolves enjoyed a 14-0 halftime lead.
Lincoln increased their lead in the third quarter when Cam Brown caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Lloyd. Frogg's kick pushed the Wolves' advantage out to 21-0. Lee's 4-yard rushing touchdown added to the Lincoln point total. A botched snap on the conversion forced Lloyd to pass and he connected with Hunter Phelan for two points. Lincoln held a commanding, 29-0, lead after three periods of play.
In the fourth quarter, Lee cut across the grain going left to right to pick up big yardage and Phelan scored on 16-yard pass from Lloyd. Frogg kicked the extra-point and added a 35-yard field goal to round out the scoring.
Taking into account the three sacks, Lincoln ran more running plays 26 than passes (24). The offense was balanced and they moved the football against the Bobcats. Lloyd completed 12 of 21 passes for 206 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions.
Brown had 5 catches for 63 yards and a touchdown. Umberson had the most yardage with 106 yards on 4 receptions for a 26.5 average and a touchdown. Hunter Phelan had 2 catches for 25 yards with a touchdown. Lincoln had 320 yards of total offense. Lincoln plays host to Huntsville Friday in a game critical to both team's playoff hopes. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Wolfpack Stadium.
Lincoln 39, Berryville 0
Lincoln^0^14^15^10^--39
Berryville^0^0^0^0^--0
Second Quarter
Lincoln -- Braden Umberson 7-yard pass from Caleb Lloyd. (Paul Frogg kick)
Lincoln -- Jacob Anderson 1-yard run. (Paul Frogg kick)
Third Quarter
Lincoln -- Cam Brown 7-yard pass from Caleb Lloyd (Paul Frogg kick)
Lincoln -- Yue Phen Lee 4-yard run. (Caleb Lloyd pass to Hunter Phelan).
Fourth Quarter
Lincoln -- Hunter Phelan 16-yard pass from Caleb Lloyd. (Paul Frogg kick).
Lincoln -- Paul Frogg 35-yard field goal.
Sports on 10/11/2017