The Lincoln Railsplitters (1-3) host the North Polar Bears (3-1) for the 80th Annual Homecoming this Friday, September 23 at Hutchens Stadium.

The Railsplitters hold a 42-29-3 advantage in the series, having won the past 12 matchups, including last seasons, 35-6, which was also Lincoln’s 350th victory in program history. Lincoln-North did not meet from 2015-2020, and 2012-13. From 1982-1985 the Polar Bears played under the moniker of North-Tech, as the Engineers were phasing out as a public school.

North has not defeated Lincoln since 2001 when they dropped a 31-0 decision over the Railsplitters, and won four contests dating from 1998-2001. Lincoln’s first varsity game, in 1926, was a 12-0 victory over the Polar Bears. Stanley Woodward scored the first touchdown in Lincoln history that day.

Both schools were members of the City Series from 1925-1967, and then the Des Moines Metro Conference, 1968-1990, and the Central Iowa Metro League, until the present Iowa Alliance Conference.

Five former Polar Bear/Railsplitter players in this series have played in the NFL; North athletes Nate Craddock and Martay Jenkins, and Lincoln performers, Bill Lapham, Jordan Bernstine, and Trevon Young were brief members of NFL clubs. Andre Allen, a 1991 North graduate was in NFL camps, played in the Canadian Football League, and the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League. Marcus Butts, a 1978 graduate of North, was a high school all-american, and briefly played for the Michigan Panthers of the original USFL. Ace Hendricks, a graduate of Lincoln in 1965, played for the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League, and the Las Vegas Cowboys of the Continental Football League.

The Polar Bears come into the contest with victories over city schools Hoover (30-6), and East (46-14), as well as last weeks’ Homecoming victory over Waterloo East (18-6). Their lone loss was to Sioux City North, 45-22.

The Polar Bears are led both offensively and defensively by Aron Gonkaryon who leads Class 5A in rushing with 881 yards on 78 carries, and 8 scores. His 11 TD’s are the second most in Class 5A. He leads North with five receptions for 51 yards, and on defense with 26.5 tackles.

Lincoln has lost three straight after an opening night, 49-12 victory over Sioux City West. The Railsplitters have lost twice to two strong 4A teams in Norwalk (45-0), and Carlisle (54-13). Their other loss was a 32-21 defeat to the hands of Des Moines East.

The Railsplitters are led on offense by senior quarterback Landon Walters, who has completed 28 of 61 passes for 395 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground Fisher Wilson leads with 112 yards on nine carries but is injured. Leo Jones has latched on to nine passes for 143 yards and a touchdown.

On defense Jones leads with 20.0 tackles, followed closely by David Wesley at 19.5; Edgar Contrares has two sacks, and Blake Butters, LaQuan Cowell, and Contreras have three tackle for loss. Wesley has two fumble recoveries, and Harry Ster has connected on all 10 of his extra points.