Devils Fall Short In Defensive Battle

Torrez Wentz (#71), Daniel Spence (#34), & Jeffery Gillyard (#62) combine to
bring down Lincoln County's Craig Jones

The Screaming Devil's attempt at an undefeated season was halted by the Red Devils of Lincoln County once again for the 37th time in 40 years.  This year's contest proved to be a bruising defensive battle for both teams as  both teams were kept out of the end zone on offense except for a lone Lincoln County touchdown late in the third quarter.

Wilson fights for extra yards.

Warren County received the opening kick-off and discovered very quickly that they were going to have a tough time getting their high scoring offense clicking against the Red Devils.  Lincoln held the Screaming Devils on 3 consecutive plays and forced Ed'Ricus Williams to punt it away for the first of what would total 6 punts for the night for Warren County.

Lincoln County looked as if they had Warren's defense figured out in their opening possession.  Led by quarterback Denzel Gunby, the Red Devils drove the ball deep into Warren County territory.  Facing a first and goal from the 10 yard line, the Screaming Devils dug in as they have all season and forced Lincoln County to settle for a 31 yard field goal from James Spratlin with 6:35 to go in the first quarter.

Spence and Cortez Wentz combine
for a tackle.

The momentum of the ball game seemed to shift in the second quarter after Warren County held the Red Devils on fourth and goal from the Warren County 4 yard line.  After converting for a first down on third and 11 from their own 3, the Screaming Devils mounted their first offensive charge of the ball game before stalling on the Lincoln County 30 yard line.  Williams punted it away for Warren County and reversed the field position battle as he pinned Lincoln County deep in their own territory at the 5 yard line.

The Screaming Devils would get another excellent opportunity to score in the second quarter just a few plays later when Richard Wilburn would intercept a pass from Gunby at the Lincoln County 32 yard line.  Warren County was unable to capitalize however, and the first half ended with the Red Devils holding a narrow 3 point lead.

Lincoln County began the second half on offense and Warren County's defense again rose to the task and forced Lincoln to punt after giving up only 1 first down to the Red Devils.  With the Red Devils punting from about their own 25 yard line, Warren County's special teams came in to give the Screaming Devils their only score of the night with a blocked punt.  Daniel Spence recovered the football and took it into the end zone for his second blocked punt recovery for a touchdown in two weeks.  Ed'Ricus Williams added the extra point to make it 7-3 and give Warren County the lead with 8:18 to go in the third quarter.


The lead would last only about 7 minutes.  Lincoln County mounted their longest and best offensive drive of the night as the Screaming Devil defense fought desperately to hang on to the lead.  The Red Devils drove the ball down to the Warren County 5 yard line and Craig Jones took it in from there for Lincoln County's final score of the night to make it 10-7.

Warren County would have their chances in the fourth quarter as the defense once again came up with an interception and held the Red Devil offense at bay.  The Screaming Devils were just as ineffective on offense as Lincoln County however.

Jabari Wilson led the Devils in rushing with 61 yard on 16 carries.  Damien Clarke added 18 yards on 13 carries and Devarius Davis was held to only 15 yards on 4 carries.

Warren County will look to get back to their winning ways next week when they play host to the Cobras of Twiggs County at Albert J. Massey Field.