Waible leads Lincoln to program's first win

Third-string quarterback Stuart Brethower passed for 121 yards and three touchdowns, Jacob Smith ran for 122 yards and two scores and Bryson Waibel returned to action with a touchdown reception to lead the Lincoln Cardinals to the program’s first win Tuesday night, 34-14 over Chilhowee.

Lincoln’s original opponent, Osceola, was scheduled for a Monday showdown in Lincoln. But Osceola was hit hard by the recent flu outbreak, and Lincoln picked up the pieces by scheduling the Chilhowee Indians for Tuesday.

The contest featured the first start of Brethower and the return of Waibel, the former starting quarterback who was flown to St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City to have his spleen removed after the season’s opening game.

The junior was originally ruled out for the season, but was cleared to play as he made his presence felt early in the contest.
On the game’s opening drive, Brethower connected with Waibel for a 20-yard touchdown as Lincoln led 7-0 after Austin Ridgeway’s extra point.

After Lincoln’s defense held the Indians to a three-and-out on the ensuing drive, Brethower continued to shine under center. He found Zach Reimund for a 39-yard pass in the right corner of the end zone, and after a missed PAT, the Cardinals led 13-0 to cap off the opening quarter.

Smith opened up the second with a 23-yard touchdown run, and Brethower connected with Terry Bickers for a 19-yard score to stretch the lead to 27-0 at the half.

The Indians mustered only one first down in the opening 24 minutes, but found the end zone early in the second half.

After a blocked punt set up Chilhowee in Cardinals territory, the Indians scored on a short touchdown pass and their attempt at the 2-point conversion was successful to narrow the deficit to 27-8.

Lincoln’s defense regrouped on the Indians’ ensuing drive with a Bickers interception. Smith turned the turnover into points, rumbling into the end zone from 45 yards out for his second score of the game.