(Chelsea Update would like to thank Burrill Strong for the slideshow above from the Chelsea v. Lincoln football game. For more of his work, please click here.)
Chelsea’s varsity football team went on the road last Friday to clash with league rival Ypsilanti Lincoln. The fact that the game matched two top SEC White teams in a battle for first place was enough to raise the emotions of the opposing players and coaches. But the tragic death of a Lincoln middle-schooler earlier in the week put a different perspective on the game and added emotion.
The game, which was moved to Pioneer High School, was a see saw affair for the first half. Lincoln jumped out to a quick 14-0 first quarter lead on 2 long TD runs. The Railsplitters were also able to shut down the Chelsea offense.
In the second quarter, the Bulldog defense stepped up and applied pressure on the Lincoln QB forcing three interceptions. The first two picks were by junior Jacob Rhodes, who returned the second interception for a 33-yard TD. Noah Van Ressema added the point after and Chelsea was on the board, down just 14-7. Four minutes later, junior Ryan Stasiak stepped in front of another Railsplitter pass and returned it 32 yards to pay dirt and the Van Reesema extra point tied the game at 14-14 heading into halftime.
Both teams struggled to move the ball in the second half. Lincoln finally got back on the board on a 34-yard TD run, taking a 21-14 lead midway through the third quarter. That lead grew to 28-14 early in the fourth quarter on another Lincoln score.
Chelsea was able to finally get their offense moving late in the fourth quarter. Ty Nelson capped a drive by scoring for the Bulldogs on a 2-yard run with just over 7 minutes to play to cut the lead to one score. However, the inspired Railsplitters were able to control the Bulldog offense and clock for the rest of the contest, exhausting Chelsea’s time-outs along with their chances for league title.
Lincoln came away with a 28-21 victory and lock hold on first place.
Chelsea’s record stands a 4-2, just 2 wins shy of qualifying for the playoffs with 3 games remaining on the season, all at home. This week, they host Tecumseh for Homecoming. Kick-off is at 7 p.m.
