THE TIGER DEFENSE WRAPS UP LINCOLN COUNTY'S BALL CARRIER They held the Devils to just 170 yards of offense but it wasn't enough to win the game. On Friday, October 17, the Washington Wilkes Tigers traveled to neighboring Lincoln County to take on the Red Devils in the annual "378 War." The game was close, with Lincoln County coming out on top by a score of 14-6. The Tigers kicked the ball off to start a rain-soaked battle.

Desmond Jackson kicked the ball 49 yards to the Red Devil 11 from where it was returned 16 yards out to the 27-yard line. The Washington defense held Lincoln on the first three plays, but the Devils punched through on fourth-and-one with a nine-yard run to gain their initial first down of the game. Three plays later the LC quarterback connected with one of his receivers for a 21- yard gain and another first down. After a loss of four-yards, a penalty against both teams, and three short runs, the Lincoln kicker missed a 35-yard field goal.

The Tigers took over on their 20- yard line after the missed field goal. After two short runs by sophomore running back Eric Scott, Scott ran the ball 21-yards for a first down. Three plays later Washington-Wilkes had to punt from their 46-yard line. Tyrece Ashmore punted the ball 27 yards and it was returned nine yards. The Red Devils went threeand out on the resulting possession and had to punt to the Tigers.

Desmond Jackson caught this 64-yard pass from Teverrius Jones for the Tigers' only touchdown in Lincolnton last Friday. The Washington offense took over on its 36-yard line to start its next drive. On first down, quarterback Teverrius Jones passed the ball 64-yards to Desmond Jackson for the first score of the game. Tom Saggus missed the extra point making the score 6-0 with the Tigers on top. On the ensuing kickoff, Tevin Turman pounced on a loose ball giving W-W the ball on the LC 33-yard line. Washington went three-and-out and had to punt the ball from the 45-yard line.

Lincoln County took over from its seven-yard line. After back-to-back first downs on the second and third plays of the drive, Scott intercepted a pass but then fumbled the ball back over to Red Devils on the Tiger 30- yard line. Four plays later on fourth down, the Lincoln offense gained another first down and then another on second.

Devil running back A.G. Middlebrooks ran the ball one yard in for a touchdown on fourth down for Lincoln County's first points of the game. The extra-point was made advancing the score to 7-6 with The Red Devils in the lead.

Deandre Stewart returned the resulting kick for the Tigers 49-yards to the Lincoln 35-yard line. Washington went three-and-out and punted the ball from the 49 to the LC 23-yard line. The Devils took a knee to end the first half.

Deon Jackson returned the kickoff 18-yards to the 25-yard line to start off the second half. The Washington offense had to punt after a questionable holding call and an illegal procedure on first down and short gains on second and third down. Lincoln County took over on the W-W 49-yard line. The Red Devils were able to convert one first down before having to attempt a 45-yard field goal that came up short.

After the missed field goal, the Tigers and Red Devils both failed to gain a first down on three consecutive possessions, including one in which the Tigers failed to convert following an Anthony Smith fumble recovery on the LC 26. The Washington Wilkes offense took over on its 39-yard line after a 33-yard punt by LC.

Deon Jackson gained a first down for the Tigers after three short runs. Three downs later W-W attempted a fake punt from its 43-yard line that came up short . On the first play of the resulting possession, Middlebrooks ran the ball 55-yards in for his and Lincoln's second touchdown of the game. The point-after attempt was again good making the score 14-6 in favor of the Red Devils.

The Tigers started their next possession from their 14-yard line. On first down, Jones completed a 17-yard pass to Stewart for a first down. On the next play, Jones connected with Deon Jackson for a 41-yard pass and another first down. Three plays later Jones' pass was intercepted. On second down, Tyrance Ashmore recovered a Lincoln County fumble on the LC 19-yard line. After three incomplete passes and a sack, the Tigers turned the ball over on downs to the Red Devils who took a knee twice to end the game. The final score was 14-6 with Lincoln County coming out with the win.

Despite the loss, there were a number of outstanding individual performances. Lee Thomson did an outstanding job fielding punts in a driving rain. Dewayne Davis did not make an errant snap in the wet conditions. Desmond Jackson led the offense with a 64-yard touchdown catch. On the defensive side Justin Guin led the team with 15 total tackles, Anthony Smith had eight tackles, two assists, and two sacks, and Deandre Stewart also had eight tackles.

This week the Tigers travel to Irwinton to take on the Wilkinson County Warriors in the last away game of the season. At stake is the number two seed in the region and a first round home game in the playoffs. Wilkinson County is the fastest team the Tigers have seen all year with eight state track champions on its roster. The Warrior's base out of a multiple Wing-T offense and 5-3 defense. Come out and support the Tigers.