‘Dogs rout Lincoln

Victory sets up clash at Jewell this weekend for GLVC lead

The Truman football team had no trouble with the Lincoln Blue Tigers on Saturday afternoon, cruising to a 48-3 victory. The win sets up a huge meeting at William Jewell this coming Saturday – the teams share the lead in the GLVC, and the meeting in Liberty goes a long way to determining who controls the conference.

Both teams are 5-1 in conference play, and Jewell finishes the season at Lincoln the following weekend. The Bulldogs finish the season at home versus McKendree (3-3 GLVC).

In Saturday’s game, the ‘Dogs (5-4 overall, winner of three straight) took a commanding lead early and never looked back. After Madden Irving scored from 39 yards out to give Truman a 7-0 lead, Lincoln drove into field goal range and converted.

That was the end of the good news for the Blue Tigers, as they fall to 2-6 and 1-5 in conference play.

The afternoon was highlighted by two second quarter interceptions for touchdowns by James Franklin III, both from around Lincoln’s 40-yard line. He was given GLVC recognition this week as most outstanding for his performance. The Bulldogs scored 20 points in the second quarter, and took a 27-3 lead into the half.

On a cloud-covered afternoon, the ‘Dogs didn’t pass much, nor have any reason to. Dylan Hair finished 11-of-15 with a pair of touchdowns and an interception. Vance Herring and Kel Battle were on the receiving end of his touchdown passes. Jackson Overton led the ‘Dogs in receiving with four catches for 52 yards.

Irving led the ground game, finishing with 110 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 11 touches. Askia Bullie – who fans and now opposing coaches know is a constant trick-play threat – had a 44-yard touchdown burst on one of his two carries.

The ‘Dogs game this weekend at Jewell is for outright ownership of the GLVC lead. Upper Iowa and Indy have both suffered two losses.