The Lincoln Cardinals (2-1) enjoyed their second win of the season in a wild scoring affair, 50-31 with Crest Ridge on Friday night in Lincoln on Homecoming.
The Cardinals struggled to bring down Crest Ridge junior quarterback Wesley Taylor all night long. However, Lincoln's passing attack was on fire as Riley Sanders connected on 15 of 22 passing for 354 yards with 5 passing TD's and one rushing TD.
Wide receiver Chase Young had the game of his life with 9 catches for 263 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Dawson Parrott also caught 13 balls for 45 with a TD and converted one 2-point conversion.
Lincoln won the toss and deferred. The Cardinals stopped Crest Ridge but fumbled the ball resembling the old football follies of days gone by on the 18. Taylor walked in from the eight and the kick was good for the 7-0 lead at 4:45 of the first quarter.
Sanders bombed one to Young from the 45 and the 2-point conversion on a pass to Cam Everhart made it 8-7 at the 4:15 mark.
In the second quarter early on, Sanders unloaded from the 48 to Dawson Parrott who flew in for another TD for the home team.
The Sandman bootlegged in from the one at 6:12 to make 20-7.
With 40 seconds left in the first half, Sanders found Young again for their second scoring connection. The PAT failed but it was 26-7 at half in front of a good Homecoming crowd.
In the third quarter, a pass up the middle to Everhart from the 22 made it 32-7. Parrott caught the 2-point conversion and it was 34-7.
Crest Ridge kicked a field goal to make it 34-10.
The Cardinals were then unable to tackle Taylor as he scored and then also raced in for the PAT untouched to cut the deficit to 34-18 in the fourth.
Sanders hit Young for their final TD of the night and connected with Parrott for the 2-pointer to make it 42-18.
At 9:18, the Taylor show continued from the one. (This reporter thought he was short). It was now 42-24.
The teams traded scores for the 50-31 final tally as Sanders took three knees to end the contest.
Lincoln coach Brad Drehle commented, "We got sloppy in the second half. We lost focus with Homecoming and everything going on."
He added, "Chase Young had a good game for us tonight. You love to see a good kid like that have success."
Drehle knows that his team's focus will have to remain as they face a tough week 4 opponent.
"We still have a lot to work on but we're headed in the right direction. Holden will be a load next week," he said.
Yes, Lincoln travels to Holden (1-2) this Friday for their first road game of the season. Lane Johnson will have all the action on the Lincoln Sports Network.
