The Lincoln Railsplitters spotted North a 13-point first quarter lead and fell to the surprising Polar Bears, 36-17, at Lincoln’s Homecoming, September 23, at Hutchens Stadium. The loss drops the southside squad to 1-4 on the season.

The Polar Bears (4-1) rushed for 362 yards on 56 on the strength of Class 5A top rusher Aron Gonkayron, who carried 23 times for 213 yards and two touchdowns.

Both squads struggled in the passing game as neither team completed a pass. The Railsplitters were unsuccessful on eight attempts. North attempted two passes.

Harry Ster delivered the first points of the night for the Railsplitters when he split the uprights for a 26-yard field goal in the first quarter. Lincoln scored twice in the fourth quarter as Blake Butters scooted across for a 38-yard rushing touchdown, and Javon Sanders plunged across from the 1 for the other. Ster was successful on both extra points.

Leo Jones led the Railsplitters with 9.0 tackles, five of those solos, and had 1.5 tackles for loss. David Wesley and James Lamar had 5.5 tackles. LaQuan Cowell, Edgar Contreras, and Ster contributed five tackles. Ster also had a 57-yard kickoff return.

On offense Lincoln ran for 138 yards led by Sanders, who had 86 yards on 18 carries. Butters had 38 yards on two carries.

The Railspliiters now travel to Marshalltown, who also sits at 1-4, on Friday, September 30. It will be the Bobcats Homecoming contest.