Devils Whip Screamers 31-0

October 04, 2015

The start time may have been different due to weather concerns, but the result was the same - a win for the Lincoln County Red Devils.

The 31-0 victory improved the Red Devils' record to a perfect 6-0. This was the 41st consecutive time that Lincoln County has prevailed over the Screaming Devils. Warren County last won in 1971, its seventh straight win over the Red Devils.

Quay Hartfield led the offensive charge with 130 yards on 18 carries, scoring twice. Javon Reid gained 51 yards on seven carries, and Jamal Norman ran eight times for 49 yards. Both scored once.

The Red Devils took the early 6:00 kickoff and moved the ball well. Austin Parks made a one-handed catch on the run for 33 yards. It would be the only catch of the game, but it was a great one. Hartfield then ran for five to the 22. Reid kept the pigskin for ten and a first down at the WC 12. Norman ran for eight before then going the final four for a touchdown with 9:27 left in the first. Ryan O'Neill booted the PAT for a 7-0 LC lead.

The Devil Defense stopped the Screaming Devils from earning a first down and forced a short punt that rolled to a stop at the WC 38. Reid went left on a good run for 12 for a first down at the 24. The Red Devils picked up another first down before the drive fizzled. O'Neill kicked a 33-yard field goal to extend the lead to 10-0 with four minutes left in the opening quarter.

The visitors scampered for 40 yards on the following kickoff return to midfield. A QB sack helped keep the drive short, and Warren County punted. Tydarius Elam snagged the ball and returned it 50 yards to the WC 22. Norman rushed for five and then 11 for 1st-and-goal at the 6. Hartfield did everything but score on the next play, with the ball resting inside the 1. Reid took the ball the final feet. O'Neill's kick gave the Red Devils a 17-0 lead with just under a minute left in the first period.

Warren County punted after three plays on its next possession, with the Devils starting from their 46. Reid threw a rare interception which Warren returned to the LC 2. The play and the following effort confirmed what coaches always instill in their players - never give up on a play. The Red Devils caught the Warren player from behind to stop the interception from becoming a touchdown.

Warren had two miscues for 10 yards. With 1st-and-goal at the 12, the visiting Devil runner was caught for a three-yard loss. Jason Gartrell then sacked the quarterback for an eight-yard loss. A lateral gained only one yard, leaving 4th-and-goal at the 22. Two more penalties by Warren cost 10 more yards. On 4th-and-goal from the 32, the Screaming Devils' pass attempt fell incomplete and the touchdown threat was ended. What looked like a sure touchdown on the interception resulted in zero points because these Red Devils never give up.

Lincoln County then drove down the field on 13 plays. Sixteen-yard runs by Reid and Hartfield were the big gainers before Hartfield scored on a seven-yard run. The PAT kick was good for a 24-0 lead with less than a minute left in the half. Warren would end the half with no first downs and negative offensive yardage.

The second half opened no better for the Screaming Devils, with a short punt to their 47. Hartfield gained five but consecutive penalties cost the Red Devils ten yards. Jayden Robinson rushed for four. Hartfield was stopped at the line but then got loose right for a 48-yard touchdown run. O'Neill's kick gave the Devils a 31-0 advantage with 8:01 remaining in the third quarter.

Warren County then had their best drive of the game, picking up four first downs before Midarious Roberts intercepted a Warren pass at the LC 20. The Red Devils again drove the ball, keeping the pigskin on the ground and the clock moving. The GHSA mercy rules thankfully made the fourth quarter fly by on this rainy night in Georgia. The Red Devils got to the Warren 30 before punting. The Screaming Devils moved the ball some before the clock ticked down to end the 31-0 Red Devil win.

Lincoln County has an open date this week before traveling to Sparta on October 16 to take on the Hancock Central Bulldogs.

Our thanks to Sparky Newsome and The Lincoln Journal for the photos!