Axe

Lincoln Football

Local 5 Blitz Game of the Week At Des Moines East

The Rails hit the road in a metro matchup against Des Moines East in the battle for SE 14th Street

September 9, 2022, 2:00 p.m.

In what Lincoln coach Duane Matthess describes as “The Battle for Southeast 14th”, the Railsplitters look to continue their winning ways over the East High Scarlets - which is currently at five game winning streak since the 2017 season - and fresh off of last seasons’ 38-14 triumph. This will be the 99th meeting of the series.

The two schools have met annually since 1925 -96 years- when the schools were members of the City Series until 1967, when they both became members of the Des Moines Metropolitan Conference from 1968-1990, and then the form of the Central Iowa Metro League and district play since 1991.

The Scarlets hold a 57-39-2 advantage over the Railsplitters all-time, and won the first 17 meetings from 1925 to 1941, before the Railsplitters defeated East, 7-6, in 1942, which was also the first Lincoln City Series title, which they shared with Roosevelt. Lincoln defeated East in 1948, and again in 1962. The Scarlets and Lincoln shared the City Title in 1963, with 3-1 records in the City.

In the past 20 years the Railsplitters hold a 12-10 advantage, with a 1-1 record in postseason play, with the Scarlets defeating Lincoln 14-7 in 2009, and Lincoln returning the favor in 2011, 52-14. Lincoln’s longest winning streak over the Scarlets is 11 years, from 1989-99. Rick Hendryx, Lincoln coach from 1992-1996 was 5-0 against the Scarlets. Cecil Rhoads, head coach from 1974-85, has the most wins over the Eastsiders, with seven.

Over the near century their have been several memorable battles between the two schools:

  • 1942 - The Railsplitters defeat East for the first time  behind the play of quarterback Kenny Joss and halfback Dick Reynolds, who converts the extra point for the decisive points. Lincoln shares the City Title with Roosevelt in Lincoln’s only undefeated season.
  • 1948 - Lincoln upsets East 7-6 in front of 11,000 fans at Drake Stadium. The Railsplitters are led by the power running of fullback Dick Delmedge and halfback Dean Trent.
  • 1962 - Chuck Roland completes 12 of 21 passes for 139 yards and a scoring toss as the Railsplitters upend the Scarlets, 14-0, in front of 3,500 fans at Lincoln Stadium. The Railsplitters are City Co-Champs with Roosevelt.
  • 1965 - Tom Umphress blocks a East punt, then catches a 7-yard scoring pass from Jim Shrader as Lincoln upsets No.5 East, 7-0, in front of 6,800 at Lincoln Stadium.
  • 1968 - Dave Summy scores four touchdowns as the previously winless Railsplitters pound East, 53-7 at Duke Williams Stadium. Summy has 120 yards rushing on 22 carries.
  • 1970 - Phil Hayman rushes 35 times for 223 yards as the Railsplitters hammer East, 32-0, at Williams Stadium. The Railsplitters rush for 347 yards on 70 rushing plays and attempt no passes in the victory.
  • 1977 - Tim Houge carries a school record 41 times for 146 as Lincoln upsets East, 30-14
  • 1982 - Needing just a victory to qualify for the playoffs, the Railsplitters upset East, 21-13, to keep the Scarlets out of the Class 4A playoffs. Jim Gorsche scores two touchdowns in the contest.
  • 1985 - Jeff Ogden completes 11 of 22 passes for a then- school record 279 yards and two scores as Lincoln jolts East 27-7 at Williams Stadium.
  • 1987 - Brad Dittmar intercepts two passes and sets a school record with a 73-yard touchdown pass from Jamey DeAngelo to close out the season with a 14-0 win at Williams Stadium.