Devils out to clinch another state championship

Oh, the wonder of it all! Red Devil manager James Spratlin experiences the exhilaration of standing on the field at the Georgia Dome.

Although the 21-3 win over Commerce in the Georgia Dome was sweet, the LCHS Red Devils still have one more item to check off their “to do” list this year.

On Saturday, December 16, Lincoln County (13-1) will play the Clinch County Panthers (12-2) for the Class A state title beginning at 6 p.m. at Buddy Bufford Field.

Saturday marks the second time the two teams have squared off against each other for the state title. The Panthers defeated LCHS 11-8 for the championship in 1991.

Among the teams who have played Lincoln County more than once, Clinch County is the only team in the state to post a winning record (4-3) against the Red Devils during the Campbell Years.

“It’s going to be a tough football game by all means,” stated Larry Campbell, head football coach at LCHS. “I hate to play Clinch — we don’t have much success against them. Their Xs and Os are a little bit bigger than most.

“Everybody in South Georgia knew they were the number-one team all along,” the coach continued. “They are very ‘senior-oriented,’ returning nearly every starter from last year.”

The Lincoln County Red Devils traveled to the Georgia Dome Saturday, December 9, and defeated Commerce 21-3 on the way to what will hopefully be back-to-back state championships. Pictured soaking up the atmosphere at the Dome are Tony Wells (l) and Detravis Hearst.

Concerning the Panthers’ two season losses, one was to Charlton County, the defending state champions in Class AA, and the other was to Coffee County, the number-one ranked team in Class AAAAA.

“Since then, the average number of points Clinch County has given up to Class A opponents has been less than one touchdown per game,” said Campbell. “The offense has averaged over 40 points per game against Class A competitors.”

The Panthers and the Red Devils’ only common opponent this season has been Warren County. Clinch defeated them 42-7, and Lincoln, 28-7.

Since 1989, the Panthers have been in the playoffs every year except two. On Saturday, the team will play for its third state championship in five years.

Clinch County will be coming to the table following a 16-13 victory over Athens Academy in the Dome.

Among the players to watch are Eugene Kinlaw (#99), defensive tackle; Lafiyana Lacey (#17), tight end and defensive end; running backs Justin Gainey (#28) and Dexter Reeves (#9); and Christopher Davis (#65), offensive lineman.

Two of the players are currently being recruited by the University of Georgia.

As for the Red Devils, they are busy making preparations to win their second consecutive state championship. “We will practice four hard days, and if we’re not done by dark, we’ll turn the lights on — that’s what we did last week,” said Coach Campbell.

“Considering that we will be playing our 15th game of the season on Saturday, we have the normal amount of bumps and bruises. But we’re not going to use this as an excuse. We’re as healthy as we can be.”

The coach went on to congratulate his seniors for being the only group in the state to have played in the Dome all four years of high school.

Commenting on the Dome game, Campbell said, “Anytime you beat Commerce, it’s a big win. They are so well-coached, and it’s such a big rivalry, we knew we were in for a big football game. much it will cost to bring the building up to code.

If the state requirements are identified and a plan is devised to meet these requirements, the matter will be placed on the agenda for the group’s January meeting.

In further business, the board:

Was informed by Superintendent Edmunds that the system was a awarded a “Certificate for Highest Performance” by the Georgia Department of Education for “excellence in the education of students with disabilities.”