LINCOLN VS LEON: A TALLAHASSEE RIVALRY FOREVER

WR- Raph Andrades & RB - DJ Abnar       photo by Jack Turner

When the evening started, the skeptics did not give Leon a chance. Leon was missing some very key players due to an earlier situation with Middleburg High School. However, many had no idea that Lincoln would be missing a few players of their own. Out nursing injuries were four defensive starters: LB James Hearns, DL Joshua Gilmore, LB Carson Combs and DL Andy Wiggins. On the offensive side: starter OL/TE Connor Sabolic, and WR Myles Gaines, both integral part of team as well. Other players played through minor injuries, or through pain.

After Leon muffed the opening kickoff, Lincoln recovered the ball at the 21 yard line and took full advantage it. Lincoln scored on it's first play from scrimmage when Ronald Butler connected with his favorite target Raphael Andrades for a touchdown with only :11 seconds gone off of the clock. Many thought that the rout was on, but a crafty Bill Ragans wouldn't hear anything of it. With a top area running back in his backfield (Tim Longmire), Coach Ragans would rely on the legs of his QB Taylor Scott to drive the team down field, and then Scott would connect with TE Griffin Westscott for a 17 yd TD and the lead 7-6 as Lincoln had missed the PAT. Lincoln would score again, but this time on the ground. A 74 yard scamper by D.J. Abnar would give Lincoln the lead for good. Abnar would score two more TDs before the half, making the score 26-7. In the 3rd quarter, momentum would jump on Leon's side. After Abnar score his 4th TD of the night, Leon would score 3 quick TDs to make the game interesting. Leon hoping that their luck would continue, tried an onside kick, but Sophomore LB Jeff Williams would catch the ball on the hop, and race 53 yards for a touchdown. That ended any hope of an upset. Lincoln had an answer for everything that Leon had & that answer was RB D.J. Abnar. In all Abnar rushed 22 times for 278 yards and 5 TDs. Senior Raphael Andrades added 5 catches for 152 yards and 2 TDs.