HobbsDailyReport.com
DENVER, N.C. – Going to overtime for the second straight game, East Lincoln High picked up an important South Fork 2A football victory over visiting West Lincoln 42-35 on Friday night.
The Mustangs rallied from a 21-point deficit to eventually win in overtime on a 1-yard TD run by running back Chandler Jones and gain a share of second place with Newton-Conover.
East Lincoln (6-4, 5-1) plays at Newton-Conover (8-2, 5-1) on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. If Lincolnton were to upset Maiden, the winner at Gurley Stadium would end up a co-champion in the conference.
EAST LINCOLN 42,
WEST LINCOLN 35, OT
Unbeaten Maiden stayed that way last Friday night by downing visiting East Lincoln 44-43 in double overtime.
West Lincoln (3-7, 1-5) had a possession after Jones’ fourth-and-1 TD run in overtime put the Mustangs in front.
The Rebels had nine yards on three plays and was at the 1 with one play to try to tie the game again. Quarterback Seth Willis got the call, trying to sneak in, but the middle of the East Lincoln defense stopped him to end the game.
West Lincoln had East Lincoln down 28-7 at the half, but the Mustangs rallied.
Jones scored on a run after the second half kickoff to start the push, and an 81-yard TD run by Tavin Johnson midway through the third quarter helped East Lincoln climb back.
West Lincoln scored on a 49-yard run by Brendan Ikard to stay ahead at 28-21 but did not score again in regulation.
East Lincoln pulled even when quarterback Chase Jones threw 41 yards to Gabe Duncan for a TD with two minutes, 35 seconds left in regulation.
The Rebels got a final chance to win in regulation by recovering a fumbled punt at the Mustangs’ 45 but turned the ball over on downs as the game headed to an extra period.
West Lincoln fell despite a game-high 204 yards on 31 carries by Ikard and with running back Nakathon Phansook adding 27 carries for 15 yards.
The Rebels have one regular-season game left, playing Friday at home against last-place Lake Norman Charter.
West Lincoln is tied for sixth place with North Lincoln.