The Lincoln News Sentinel ~ SPORTS

Tough calls cost Panther win

Special to The Journal
LEWISBURG — The Lincoln County High School Panthers came out prepared, played hard, but simply fell short of getting that coveted first Class AAA win, Friday, August 29, against Greenbrier East.
The Panthers gave the Spartan squad everything it could handle for four quarters before committing a few costly errors and allowing the Spartans to escape with a 16-8 win.
The Spartans scored on their second offensive drive in the first quarter, taking the quick lead over the Panther squad. Ben McMillion put East ahead, 6-0. The two-point conversion was good and the Spartans led, 8-0.
As time ran out on the clock to end the first quarter, however, LCHS quarterback Tyler Browning connected with Jacob Lucas on a 12 yard pass for a Panther touchdown.
Browning then connected with Jacob Ashworth for the two-point conversion to tie the game at 8-8.
In the second quarter, the Panther defense held strong, not allowing the Spartans to add any more points to the scoreboard. Unfortunately the Pan-thers couldn’t capitalize on the defense’s efforts.
The Panthers had the ball inside the red zone as time was running out on the second quarter.

A controversial call on the Panther offense took them back five yards. Browning completed a pass to Lucas on the two as the half came to a close.

The teams headed to the locker rooms tied at 8-8.
The Panthers offense came back out strong in the second half, looking to go up on East.
Ashworth’s kick return gave the Panthers great field position. The offense was stopped short as they turned the ball over on downs on the one-yard-line.
The Panthers looked to take back over on offense, but a roughing the kicker penalty gave the Spartans 15 yards and an automatic first down.
The momentum carried over into the fourth quarter, culminating in another Spartan touchdown, this time by Brett Robertson. He followed that with a two-point conversion run and the Spartans were up, 16-8.
Although the Panthers moved the ball at will all ev-ening and appeared to be the superior team, LCHS fans made the long trip home without finding their first AAA win.
The roughing the kicker and a block in the back call were two miscues that decided the outcome of the game, according to most observers.
Panther Head Coach Cory Beck commented, “Instead of finding ways to win, they found ways to lose.”
Jamie Chambers led the Panther rushers with 13 carries for 60 yards. Donavan McGhee added 22 yards for LCHS.
Browning was nine of 14 passing for 139 yards in the first half. He had 30 yards and one interception in the second half.
Lucas caught seven passes for 93 yards in the first half and scored the touchdown. Ashworth was 2-32 in the first half. In the second half, Ashworth carried three times for 62 yards and Zac McCormick toted the ball twice for 15 yards.
Defensively, Heath Work-man and Freddie Adkins led the Panthers in tackle with a total of ten, both assisted and unassisted. Jimmy Hamlin and Dustin Elkins both recorded sacks. Scotty Terry added nine tackles.
LCHS, in just its third year of existence, will travel to Putnam County this Friday to meet Winfield. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
The location of the game was undetermined at press time, due to our early Labor Day deadline. A fire in the press box at Winfield may force the game to be played at Hurricane.

Sports Beat
Harts Middle School football team will hold an organizational meeting this coming Thursday, July 24 at the football field. All students in the 7th and 8th grade that wish to participate on the Lions middle school football team should attend the meeting at 6pm. For additional details athletes and parents should contact Chris Toppins, head coach.
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Hamlin Middle School cheerleader organizational meeting to be held Thursday, August 7 in the Charles E. Elkins Gym at 7pm. All seventh and eighth grade girls that wish to participate should attend. For additional details contact cheer coach Cristy Estep at 824-5870.
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Summer is passing very quickly and it won’t be long until the kids are back in school. It has been an eventful summer as far as the sports world is concerned. The State Board of Education and the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission (WVSSAC) had to decide whether to pass several rules proposals. A few passed and others did not pass.
Now right on the heels of these proposals, several counties across the state of West Virginia are now deciding whether to pass or fail proposals that deal with drug testing athletes. The testing would take place at the high school level and include most varsity athletes.
Our neighbors in Cabell County will begin their drug testing plan with the start of this new school year. Parents and students must attend an orientation meeting prior to the drug testing plan being put into effect.
The main concern with the drug testing plans available to West Virginia counties is the cost. Drug testing does not come cheap with some plans topping over the $30,000 mark. The financial aspect of these plans would definitely play a factor in any decision forthcoming in Lincoln County to institute drug testing for county athletes.
The drug testing programs test for sport performance-enhancing and recreational drugs. The programs being discussed or put into use by several West Virginia counties will also test for the use of drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines and depressants.
I am not sure whether I support the drug testing policy or not at this time. The cost is a major concern for most county school systems. The majority of these school systems are strapped for cash and adding another financial burden to the already mounting costs seems a bit too much. However, it would be comforting to know whether athletes within the school system are drug free.
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Hamlin Middle School football organizational meeting to be held Thursday, August 7 in the Charles E. Elkins Gym at 7pm. All seventh and eighth grade athletes that wish to participate should attend. For additional details contact head coach Duane Estep at 824-5870 or duaneestep@aol.com.
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For those non-professionals out there that wish to coach the WVSSAC is offering a coaching class: The NFHS/ACEP coaching class will be held at Huntington High, August 2, 9 am to 6 p.m.; August 3, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The class enables those interested in coaching secondary school sport to gain a certificate that allows them to coach. Call WVSSAC, 304-485-5494 to register. Classes are filling fast so don’t wait long to call and sign up. The cost of the class is $250. No phone or faxed registrations accepted. Registrations must be received in this office, with payment, prior to the class. No more than 20 registrations per class will be accepted.
Important Information: West Virginia only recognizes the 14 hour course taken with a WVSSAC instructor. Attendance is required for the entire 14 hours of the course. Please arrive a few minutes early for registration. Those not arriving on time may be denied access to the class.
Other classes have been scheduled throughout the state of West Virginia.
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For those basketball minded individuals Sports City U basketball academy is offering numerous opportunities to keep the round ball action going throughout the summer months. Visit www.scuhoops.com. Call 697-4667 or 562-2424.

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