**End of an Era at Hutchens Stadium: Des Moines Lincoln vs. Sioux City East**

Thursday night marked the end of an era at Hutchens Stadium, a venue rich with history and tradition, as Des Moines Lincoln faced off against Sioux City East in the very last varsity football game to be played there. The emotional atmosphere was palpable, with former alumni from over six decades in attendance to bid farewell to this iconic stadium. The pre-game festivities were a sight to behold, as these former Railsplitters joined forces to form a tunnel through which the current players made their entrance onto the hallowed grass

Despite the significance of the occasion, the game itself unfolded in a way that the Railsplitters would rather forget. The Rails' running game was a force to be reckoned with, led by the explosive sophomore Daymonee Wesley, who carried the ball an impressive 30 times for 179 yards and found the end zone twice. However, the passing game struggled to find its rhythm, with quarterback Jack Lamb completing just 4 passes out of 15 attempts for a mere 10 yards and an interception.

On the other side of the field, the Sioux City East Black Raiders executed a precise passing attack, with sophomore signal-caller Cal Jepsen completing an impressive 20 of his 28 attempts for 265 yards through the air. Their balanced offensive approach, coupled with a sturdy defense, proved to be too much for the Railsplitters to handle.

The final score painted a grim picture for the home team, with Sioux City East emerging victorious with a 45-18 win on this special Senior Night. The defeat stung, but the Railsplitters are determined to put it behind them and focus their attention on their upcoming clash with the Marshalltown Bobcats.

The Bobcats, who currently hold a 1-6 record, secured their sole victory of the season against the Ottumwa Bulldogs, a team that had previously beaten Lincoln earlier this season. The Railsplitters see this as an opportunity to bounce back and even their record at 4-4. This potential turnaround is a testament to the hard work and improvement of the team over the past year, as they aim to erase the memory of a one-win season from their minds.

In a year filled with both nostalgia and renewed hope, the Des Moines Lincoln Railsplitters look to the future, ready to continue their journey and build upon the legacy of Hutchens Stadium as they transition to the New Mediacom Stadium. The game against Marshalltown serves as a chance for redemption and a testament to the resilience of the Railsplitters as they strive for improvement this season.