Johnie Logue
Sports Reporter
In a highly anticipated matchup, the 3-1 Lincoln Cardinals hosted the 4-0 and fifth ranked Adrian Blackhawks last Friday night.
Lincoln head coach Brad Drehle was anxious before the game because he had six players on the sidelines with injuries. This was a dogfight to the very end with Lincoln pulling out a 38-35 come-from-behind victory in the final minutes after leading at one point, 24-7.
Lincoln scored at the 2:11 mark of the first quarter on a 1-yard run by Ross Johnson that was set up by a 19-yard pass from Connor Lynde to Kaleb Mundy on a third and ten play. Lynde then hit Kyle Eckhoff in the end zone for the two point conversion and it was 8-0.
Moments later, Adrian QB Colton Miller hit wide receiver Mason Rusow in the flat and the lanky Rusow dodged a would-be-tackler and raced to the house from 60 yards out for the TD. Miller kicked the PAT and it was 8-7.
In the early stages of the second quarter, at 11:32 to be exact, Lynde showed off his arm with a bomb to Darren Roberts, who had the game of his life. Roberts shook off an attempted tackle by Miller and rambled into the end zone for the score. A false start pushed the PAT attempt back five yards but Coach Drehle told his troops to go ahead and run the intended play. Lynde hit Mundy who fell back into the end zone for the PAT and it was 16-7 to the delight of the Lincoln faithful.
Riley Sanders stripped the football on a drive by Adrian at the 31 that was recovered by Roberts for a big break for the Cardinals. However, the drive stalled as Lincoln couldn't convert on a fourth and two.
Once again on third and three, Lynde found the magic hands of Mundy for a first down. Johnson would later take it in from the six. Lynde again hit Eckhoff on a similar pass pattern as before for the PAT. It was now 24-7.
About a minute later, junior running back Hunter Bailey would break one for 55 yards for the Blackhawks and Mack Hesse would catch him at the 14. Bailey would score on second and six. The kick was good by Miller and it was 24-14 at the 1:51 mark. The half ended and both teams headed to the locker room with different perspectives. Lincoln blew the lead with a chance to bury the Blackhawks and Adrian escaped a blowout and was back in the game.
Miller showed his leg with a touchback to start the second half and Lincoln couldn't move the ball as Johnson was met time and time at the line of scrimmage and had to fight for every yard on the evening.
Adrian started at their 33, and four plays later Bailey rambled 45 yards for the TD. Miller kicked the PAT and was it 24-21 as the momentum switched sides in a hurry.
Miller kicked the ball again in the end zone as Lincoln struggled with field position all night.
On second and 24 after a time out, Lynde would heave one down field that was caught by Roberts who eluded Miller for the score. Lynde hit Kyle Eckhoff again and it was 32-21 and momentum shifted back to the Cardinals.
Dandy Don often said Mo was fickle and it certainly was on this night as Adrian would get the break of the game in the fourth quarter.
Lynde came up with a fumble as mishandling of the ball on third and two forced a punt. Clayton Bridges would slip by Cardinal defenders and block the punt. The ball rolled to the five and was recovered by Adrian. Bailey would roll to his right for the score. Miller missed the kick and it was 32-27.
Lynde hit Roberts for a big gain but then threw an interception that was picked off by a diving Kooper Wimstatt on the 15-yard line.
Miller and Bailey could now run at will as Bailey broke another long run. Miller raced in from the one and it 33-32 as Adrian took the lead at the 1:56 mark as Bailey got the PAT and it was 35-32 .
It looked bad for the boys in red as they started on their own 35. However, Lynde and Roberts had one more big play in their arsenal. Roberts would catch one in mid-field and race to the two yard line.
Then Lincoln fans saw the play of the season as Johnson was stood up at the line but flipped the ball back to Lynde who scambled into the end zone. Announcers and fans wondered what they just saw. The PAT failed but it was now 38-35 with 1:18 to go.
Johnson later said, "I was about to go down, I saw Connor just standing there and I flipped it back to him. I just wanted to win."
Lynde added, "He surprised me and I just ran it in. They are a good team and we knew they wouldn't give up. We were missing some guys tonight and we are going to be pretty good when we are healthy."
Lincoln kicked to the 48. Adrian went to the air before and after a fumble pushed them back to a third and 15. After a time out, Adrian completed a pass on fourth and eight but came up short with 47 seconds left in the game. Connor Lynde took a knee and the rest was history.
Lynde had his best passing game of the season with 391 yards on a 23-35 night. He was also 12-61 rushing.
Ross Johnson was 21-62. Roberts was amazing going 7-225 receiving. Mundy also had the game of his life with ten catches for 130 yards and a TD. Kyle Eckhoff, coming off the injured list, had three PAT catches on the night.
Maybe the underlying story of the night was freshman Ashton Wolf and sophomore Camden Everhart starting on the offensive line with three linemen out with injuries.
Coach Brad Drehle commented, "Both of these young men stepped tonight in positions they have never played before. We played 15 kids tonight. It is hard to do when Adrian is sending in a bunch of players. Adrian's line got off the ball really well.
I couldn't be more proud of our team. (Bailey) is one of the best runners we have seen this year. He is a special kid.
When you win a game like this you have a bullseye on you. We came in as the underdogs but we are not anymore."
Lincoln is now 4-1, as is Adrian. Next week is homecoming against Slater. You can watch all the action live on BCE TV. Game time is 7:00pm.
