Devils score another shutout; will host Hawkinsville
TYLER HINSON

JATHEUS JONES MAKES THE GRAB FOR A RED DEVIL TD. This Friday, Lincoln County will host Hawkinsville in round three.

The air was electric with excitement at Buddy Bufford Field Friday as Red Devil fans packed the stands to watch their team play in round two of the 2006 Georgia Class A playoffs. Devotees watched with uninterrupted attention as the Devils stampeded onto the field to take on the latest comer.

But there was another excitement brewing at the home of the mighty Red Devils. The boys in the red and white were about to play for what would be their beloved head coach's 100th playoff win and precedent-shattering 400th career win.

The players did not disappoint, shutting out the Eagles' Landing Christian Academy Chargers 34-0 and making Lincoln County Red Devil history.

The Devils won the toss but deferred, setting the Chargers up for what would be an embarrassing first drive as they faltered under the immense power of Devil defenders Jeffrey Porter, Ricardo Norman, and Tony Wells.

The Charger defense began the game with a "charge," doing an adequate job while they remained inspired. The Devils drove steadily, however, and halfway through their third set, senior running back Darrell Norman snuck through several blocks for his team's first touchdown.

The Chargers' next drive was graced by an 18-yard pass completed to senior wide receiver Russ Cooper from junior quarterback Wes Carter but fell apart quickly after another overthrown pass and a few failed runs.

The Devils were haunted by defenders Brian Moss and Cameron Panther and were forced to punt away after a single set.

A nice pass from Carter to senior wide receiver Harry Nutter was tainted by an illegal shift charged to ELCA on the Chargers' next drive. The rest of the series was messied first by another penalty for unintentional grounding against the Chargers, and then a declined penalty for roughing the kicker called against the Devils as ELCA attempted to punt.

The Devils pulled a bait and switch on the Chargers in the first play of a fresh bid. Senior quarterback Brandon Barden pitched the ball to Darrell Norman who threw deep to senior wide receiver Alex Bradford. On the next play, Barden dashed in from the 16-yard line for six more points.

Senior Devils defensive back Rontae Norman caused a universal shudder in the visitor's stands on ELCA's next possession, intercepting a pass from Carter. Norman picked up the Devils' third touchdown as a result of the play, but was forced to wait until the end of a lengthy drive for his chance.

The Chargers began their next possession with a vengeance and a double reverse good for 24 yards, and then were further advanced by a 15-yard penalty charged to Lincoln County. The Chargers crumbled after a fumble that they barely managed to recover and heavy pressure by Jatheus Jones and Carlous Hearst. ELCA went for it on fourth down and 11, but Ronell Ferguson and Kiece Crite forced a turnover.

The Devils came out hot on their next drive, besting the Chargers with a triple reverse and holding a commanding presence in the ensuing melee despite decent opposing defense. On third-and-27, Barden fired a bullet at tight end Jatheus Jones in the end zone for the Devils' final points of the second quarter. A frightened Chargers offense took knee to end the half.

A surprise visit by a certain jolly old elf during halftime made the evening for younger Red Devil fans as the Red Devil Pride Marching Band introduced their rendition of the holiday classic "Here Comes Santa Claus."

Lincoln County began the second half slow with little gain and a single set, but interrupted Eagles' Landing's first drive with senior Devil linebacker Ricardo Norman picking off another Carter pass. Darrell Norman then danced around several tackles into the end zone for the final Lincoln County touchdown of the game.

During the next Charger drive, an ambulance discreetly pulled in beside the field as though someone feared for the safety of ELCA's players. The Chargers punted, but then were able to hold the Devils, who then also were forced to punt. The punt by Devil kicker Vance Tarver was fumbled and recovered by the Devils, but not before hitting Charger junior Brian Moss in the head. Much to the relief of visiting fans, the ambulance was not needed, however.

At the beginning of the final quarter, Barden glanced up at the scoreboard, then turned and looked into the home stands, held up three fingers and mouthed "third round," as Lincoln continued to dominate against Eagles' Landing. Hearst finally intercepted, and the junior varsity Devils were brought out to finish the job.

With 2:31 on the clock, a pack of Devils snuck up on head coach Larry Campbell with an icy Gatorade cooler and gave their leader a fair dousing. After an interminable final two minutes, the buzzer sounded and a massive fireworks display exploded in brilliant color, heralding Campbell's achievement.

Lincoln County High School principal Becky Barden explained in a brief ceremony after the game that Campbell's legendary status is not only due to his stellar win record. "He loves these kids. That's what makes him a legend." she said in closing.

This Friday at 7:30 p.m., the Devils will play in round three at home against Hawkinsville, who beat Seminole County 21-6 last week. A win would propel Lincoln County to the Georgia Dome for the eighth time.