Twice this season, Lincoln College Prep has defeated teams that have traditionally given the Blue Tigers fits: Hogan Prep, 3-2, and Pembroke Hill.
On Saturday, Lincoln will try to clear another hurdle as an undefeated team with a target planted firmly on its back.
Coming off an impressive 30-7 Week 6 victory over Interscholastic League foe East, Lincoln will travel to St. Louis to take on University City in a Week 7 non-league contest.
The Blue Tigers are 6-0 overall and 3-0 in IL play. The Lions are 3-3.
How will Lincoln adjust to a nearly 250-mile road trip one week after unveiling its new on-campus stadium featuring a field decorated with a blue artificial turf?
“This game scares me,” Lincoln head coach William Lowe said.
U. City averages just 10 points per game on offense while giving up 24 points per game. In contrast, the Blue Tigers average 40 points per tilt, while allowing slightly less than 10 points per game.
“They aren’t bad,” Lowe said of this week’s opponent.
Meanwhile, Central will try to extend its win streak to two with a road game against Pembroke Hill, 5-1. The Blue Eagles are 2-4 on the season but sport a 2-1 record in the IL after last week’s 36-22 league win over Southeast.
“This is a huge district game for us,” said Central first-year head coach DJ Pittel. “Not only do we have to face Pembroke Hill, but we need to face the weather tonight. This is my first year here at Central and I’m not sure how will we handle playing in cold weather.”
With high temperatures hovering around 40 degrees on Friday, the Week 6 contest will be the Eagles’ first true test, weather-wise.
“I told the guys that the longer the season is, the colder it gets the better you feel about yourself,” Pittel said. “A big step in prolonging our season is getting win.”
As a team, Central has notched five kickoff returns for touchdowns through six games.
Diante Morton and Amariye Porter have two each, and Jayden Thorns has returned one kickoff for a score.
