Football Game Preview: Branham Bruins vs. Lincoln Lions

Branham is preparing for their first league matchup of the season on Thursday. After each having a week off, they and the Lincoln Lions will shake off the rust and duke it out at 7:15 p.m. The two teams are sauntering into the matchup backed by comfortable wins in their prior games.

Last Friday, everything came up roses for Branham against Piedmont Hills as the squad secured a 51-15 victory. The game marked the Bruins' most dominant win of the season so far.

Michael Murphy had another great game (as he tends to do), rushing for 122 yards and three TDs on only five carries, while also picking up 73 receiving yards and one touchdown. He got the majority of those receiving yards when he pulled down a pass and took off for a gain of 65 yards. Brayden Hodges was another key player, gaining 147 total yards and a touchdown.

They were just one part of a punishing run game: Branham was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 293 rushing yards. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Piedmont Hills only rushed for -2.

Meanwhile, Lincoln strolled into their game last Friday with a perfect record and they left with the same. Everything went their way against Del Mar as they made off with a 47-21 victory. The Lions might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won four contests by 21 points or more this season.

Lincoln found their leader in sophomore Luca Papoulias, who threw for 154 yards and four TDs on only 12 passes. Those four passing touchdowns set a new season-high mark for Papoulias.

Branham's win bumped their record up to 4-1. As for Lincoln, their victory bumped their record up to 5-0.

Branham strolled past Lincoln in their previous matchup back in October of 2024 by a score of 55-40. Will the Bruins repeat their success, or do the Lions have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.