Turnovers were a problem as the Lincoln County High School football team dropped a close home opener against White Pine last Friday night, 26-22.
The Bobcats dominated possession time, helped by four Lynx turnovers. “We gave up two fumbles and two interceptions,” said Lincoln head coach Rich Ottley. “So not taking care of the ball and not keeping possessions really hurt us,”
The Lynx struck first within the first minute as McClain O’Connor ran in a touchdown. The Bobcats soon answered to tie the game at 6-6. White Pine then took the lead late in the second quarter with a touchdown and two-point conversion. But O’Connor answered with a 27-yard touchdown run with only twenty seconds left before halftime A two-point conversion made the game 14-14 going in to the break.
Lincoln’s defense came out strong in the second half, as they stopped the Bobcats from scoring. But O’Connor then threw an interception at the 40-yard line, putting the White Pine in great position to score. A Bobcats touchdown put the score at 20-14, followed by another touchdown to put them up 26-14.
The Lynx answered with only three minutes left in the game on a Will Culverwell touchdown, but White Pine was able to run out the clock for the road win.
“It was a really disappointing game,” Ottley said. “Our kids played really flat, we didn’t take care of the football and lost three kickoffs.”
The coach has been encouraged with his players’ response this week. “The kids have been working a lot harder, so hopefully it’ll turn things around.”
The Lynx face The Meadows in Las Vegas tonight at 7 p.m. The game will be another early test for Lincoln, according to Ottley. “They’re always a good team,” he said. “We’ve been working hard to be able to play against Meadows and hopefully get a victory.”
