The Linton-Stockton Miners will welcome the Brownstown Central Braves at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Linton-Stockton is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Friday. They took their contest with ease, bagging a 58-27 victory over Sullivan. The win was nothing new for the Miners as they're now sitting on three straight.
Paul Oliver produced another solid performance rushing for 146 yards and a pair of scores on only 13 carries, while also throwing for 140 yards and three TDs on only eight passes. He also deserves a shoutout for his performance on D, making three total tackles and defending two passes in addition to snagging an interception. Oliver Stephens got in on the action as well, converting a pick into a touchdown.
They were just one part of a punishing run game: Linton-Stockton was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 351 rushing yards. They are 8-1 when they've run for more than 200 yards.
Linton-Stockton didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Oliver and Stephens. Stephens got in on the action too, converting a pick into a touchdown.
Meanwhile, Brownstown Central never let their opponents score on Friday. They blew past Switzerland County, posting a 55-0 victory. The score at the end of the third wound up being the final score as the Braves just coasted through the last quarter.
Brownstown Central's win came from a few key players Linton-Stockton will need to keep an eye on. One of the most notable was Lindan Lanier, who rushed for 104 yards on only eight carries. Those 104 rushing yards gave him a new career-high.
On the defensive side of the ball, a lot of the credit has to go to Brownstown Central's defense and their five sacks. Issac Hutchinson was especially locked on to Switzerland County's QB and sacked him three times.
Linton-Stockton's record now sits at 9-3. As for Brownstown Central, their record is now 12-0.
Friday's matchup might be decided on the ground. Linton-Stockton has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 264.7 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Brownstown Central struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 295 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's game turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Linton-Stockton barely slipped by Brownstown Central in their previous meeting back in November of 2024, winning 22-21. Do the Miners have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Braves turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
