LINCOLN -- Needing to put the game away, Lincoln's offensive line imposed its will opening holes on eight straight runs to march 61 yards and score an insurance touchdown.
Christian Crittenden's 6-yard touchdown run with 3:44 to go in the fourth quarter put Lincoln up two scores on a rainy night and the Wolves went on to record their first victory over Gravette since Oct. 25, 2013 by a 19-7 score. Linebacker Bradley Drain had a big tackle for loss on the previous series when he nailed Lion runningback Isaac Dann five yards behind the line of scrimmage.
On the next play, Lion quarterback Tajae White had a lot of time to survey the field when he dropped back to pass on third-and-16, but eventually the pocket collapsed and the pass fell incomplete bringing up fourth-and-long. A Lion punt rolled forward traversing 44 yards.
Lincoln took over at its own 39 and the Wolves were at last able to do what they hadn't accomplished since the first quarter -- score an offensive touchdown. A push up the middle netted six yards, the first of three consecutive Crittenden carries. He got another six, then the Lions held him to a 2-yard gain. Lincoln senior quarterback Caleb Lloyd may have been more valuable running than passing in the conditions and Lincoln coach Don Harrison used him accordingly.
Lloyd picked up five yards on a designed run followed by a 4-yard burst up the gut on third-and-three. Lloyd was on a roll. He pivoted against the grain and ran a bootleg 21 yards to the Lion 17. With that success Lincoln again sent Lloyd left and he bulled his way to the Gravette six. From there, Crittenden scored easily with a big hole opened off right tackle. A 2-point pass failed, but the Lions found themselves trailing 19-7.
Gravette set up shop at its own 37, but lost a yard on four downs against an inspired Wolfpack defensive unit and possession reverted to Lincoln at the Lion 36 with the two minute mark rapidly approaching. Lincoln's offensive line again powered the way as the Wolves picked up a first down at the Gravette 22 against a Lion defense that was wearing down. That enabled Lincoln to run out the clock and the Wolves began conference play 1-0 for the first time since Harrison took over the program in 2015.
The Wolves kicked off to Gravette to start the game. Once they got on offense, they moved the ball inside the Lion red zone midway through the first quarter. Crittenden polished off a Lincoln drive with a 3-yard touchdown run. Tyler Brewer kicked the point-after and the Wolves led 7-0.
The Wolves were on the move again but lost a golden opportunity by fumbling which Gravette recovered at its own five. Lincoln was not able to find the end zone again as the game progressed into the second quarter. Gravette scored in the final minute of the half on White's 2-yard quarterback carry. Rob Barrios kicked the point-after to tie the game at 7-7 going into halftime.
Neither team scored in the third quarter. Lincoln's defense would restore the lead to the Wolves in the fourth when Chance Blankenship pounced on a fumble in the end zone to provide six points for the Wolves. The kick failed leaving Lincoln with a 13-7 lead at the 9:42 mark of the third period.
With the loss Gravette falls to 0-4 while Lincoln enjoys its first 4-0 start in six seasons. The Wolves travel to Pea Ridge Friday. Gravette hosts Prairie Grove. Both games have a 7 p.m. kickoff.
LINCOLN 19, GRAVETTE 7
Lincoln^7^0^6^6^--^19
Subiaco^7^0^0^0^--^7
First Quarter
Lincoln -- Christian Crittenden 3-yard run (Tyler Brewer kick), 6:00.
Second Quarter
Gravette -- Tajae White 2-yard run (Rob Barrios kick), 0:47.
Third Quarter
Lincoln -- Chance Blankenship fumble recovery in end zone (Kick failed), 9:42.
Fourth Quarter
Lincoln -- Christian Crittenden 6-yard run (pass failed), 3:44.
Sports on 09/26/2018