Football Game Preview: Osceola Indians vs. Lincoln Cardinals

Osceola is 0-3 against Lincoln since September of 2015 but things could change on Friday. The Indians will face off against the Cardinals at 7:00 p.m. Lincoln took a loss in their last contest and will be looking to turn the tables on Osceola, who comes in off a win.

Osceola was handed a 36-point loss in their previous outing, but that didn't affect their clutch gene on Friday. They sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 42-40 win over Greenfield. Give some credit to the fans of both teams: the last four times they've met, the home team has come away the winner.

It was another big night for Will Murray, who rushed for 248 yards and four scores while picking up 7.3 yards per carry, and also threw for 41 yards and one touchdown. Those 248 rushing yards gave him a new career-high. Speaking of playmakers, who could forget Beau Hoeme, who went all the way with a kickoff return for a touchdown.

They were just one part of a punishing run game: Osceola was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 282 rushing yards. They are a perfect 4-0 when they've run for more than 200 yards.

Osceola didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Matthew Gilstrap and Hoeme. Gilstrap is becoming a predictor of Osceola's success: when he posts at least one interception the team is 3-1 (and 1-4 when he doesn't). Another thorn in Greenfield's side was Kylar Mace, who made 16 total tackles (1.0 for loss).

Meanwhile, Lincoln came up short against Bishop LeBlond on Friday and fell 44-36. While losing is never fun, the Cardinals can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Missouri football rankings (they are ranked 162nd, while the Eagles are ranked 17th).

Osceola's record now sits at 4-5. As for Lincoln, their defeat dropped their record down to 4-3.

Osceola was dealt a bruising 48-0 loss at the hands of Lincoln in their previous matchup back in October of 2016. Can the Indians avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.