Uncertainty remains after Roseville rolls over Lincoln, 51-7

One would think a lopsided victory would be a good omen for the victor and demand improvement for the vanquished. However, the 51-7 victory Roseville High gained at Lincoln on Friday night left the coaches of both teams pondering what lies ahead. In a game where an unofficial count of 23 penalty flags was thrown, the lack of rhythm and flow in the contest provided more questions than answers. "Well, we hope we can build on (the fight) because, I mean, they fought a little bit," Lincoln Fighting Zebras Coach Allen Berg said about his team's lackluster performance. "We've struggled with that all year long. So, I guess that is the positive side and I hope we can build on that for next week. We have fighters on the team. The problem is we just don't have enough of them. " The Zebras managed to gain 150 yards in 44 offensive plays, less than a 4-yard average. The one bright spot came in the second quarter when Lincoln marched 74 yards in 12 plays, capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Joe Brown. Lane Tingey's point-after kick narrowed the deficit to 21-7. After the game, Tigers Coach Adam Reinking seemed a little surprised Lincoln didn't put up more of a battle. He said the Zebras appeared solid in their game films. His Tigers practiced attacking areas they felt Lincoln was vulnerable; however, those vulnerable areas seemed to expand as the contest wore on. "The main thing we've been talking about is not so much the physical piece of the football game but the mental piece of the football game. And doing the right things assignment-wise, both offensively and defensively," Reinking said. "But I thought for us, there were times when we became our own worst enemy. We just need to make sure we think and execute the offense the way we do day-in and day-out in practice." That seemed like an odd thing to say for a club that gained 386 yards, scored seven touchdowns, took advantage of three turnovers, including a safety, and held their opponents to seven points. But neither team looked particularly sharp. What was on Reinking's mind was their upcoming league game with 2022 Capital Valley Conference champion Antelope this week. "The last couple of years, (Antelope's) preseason record hasn't been that great, but they won and competed for league. … So, it's going to be a really tough battle against those guys next week," the coach said. "We lost our star running back last week, so we're trying to plug some holes and fill those gaps. I think Aaron did a really good job of running the ball (tonight)." Reinking was referencing running back Aaron Salas. The senior gained 127 yards on 15 carries, scored four TDs, one on a 37-yard run, and added another 130 yards in kick returns for a 257-yard total on the night. Also sharp, in spite of it all, was quarterback Mason Susnara. The sophomore connected on a dozen of his 17 passes for 147 yards, three touchdowns, and ran one in from 1 yard out. The 0-4 Zebras have to regroup with one more pre-league game against 3-0 Woodcreek, which had last week off. Coach Berg will have his work cut out for him as Lincoln prepares for Foothill Valley League play. "You have to compete. You have to fight and battle to the end no matter what," Berg said. "Even if you don't win as a team you compete as an individual and we're not getting it. I guess that's what's killing me, it's like our players are OK with it." Lincoln will host the Timberwolves this week before their FVL opener against Nevada Union (3-1) on Sept. 29 at home. The Tigers' next six games are for all the CVCL marbles. At 3-1, they are tied in preseason games with Inderkum. "Our offensive line did a really good job of executing their assignment (tonight). I was really proud of that," Reinking said. "So, I feel like we're getting healthy and getting better. Things are starting to click a little bit at the right time."