Despite the two schools being separated by just 26 miles, Lincoln County (0-2) traveled to Marshall County (2-0) for the first time in 40 years on Friday night.

And despite the dormancy between the last time the two teams met, the Falcons arrived to a jam packed Preston Hopkins Field for the Tigers home opener and emotions were high as the Marshall County players wanted to win one for their coach against his alma mater and the entire home side showed out as the Tigers honored special teams coach Tony Johnson, who passed away from a longtime illness shortly before the season got started.

The home team did not disappoint, turning a close 9-7 halftime lead in to a 31-14 final after outscoring the Falcons 14-0 late in the fourth quarter behind two huge touchdown runs from Javaria Rucker and Kel Greer to secure the win and allow the players to win one for their fallen coach who meant so much to Tiger football.

"Our program was really proud to honor Coach Johnson and his legacy before the game," Tiger coach Thomas Osteen said. "He loved the kicking game, but he was even more passionate about doing whatever was needed behind the scenes to help our program at the high school and LMS (Lewisburg Middle School)."

"He was a tireless worker who never wanted any recognition for what he did," Osteen added. "His players loved him and the relationship he built with them. He will be irreplaceable."

The Tigers have outscored its first two opponents 72-21 and debuted in the Associated Press Top 10 this week at number nine with a huge region opener with Tullahoma looming this Thursday night.

Marshall County showed laser like focus and precision in the win over the once proud 5A neighbor who holds state championships in 1982, 1990, and 1993, all at the highest classification at the time.

Add the short distance from Lewisburg with the tradition of both programs and this game will be one to get excited about every year should it continue past the 2020 season.

"I have kinda said all along that personally I did love playing the game but I think it’s a great game for both schools," Osteen explained. "The atmosphere was great for high school football. The game is about the players and any time you can play a bordering county opponent it brings a lot of excitement to the game."

Tiger sophomore quarterback Bryson Hammons continues to improve weekly, finishing 15-for-17 for 148 yards and a score on the night, but once again received plenty of help from the two-headed backfield monster of Rucker (167 rushing yards, 40 receiving yards, touchdown) and Greer (91 rushing yards, two touchdowns).

Devon Wilson continues to lead the Tiger receiving corps after returning to town following a season playing for Smyrna as the senior playmaker finished with four receptions on the night to up his season total to six.

Budding receiver prospect A'Ky Howard contributed another stellar performance with two catches for 39 yards and a score and senior Andrew Gold chipped in two receptions for 39 yards while pacing the defense with nine tackles and an incredible five tackles for a loss.

Defensive back Connor Hilton turned in an amazing game with 15 tackles and three passes defended while Tez Allen (seven tackles, two TFL) and Keylin Talley (four tackles, sack) led the defensive line.

Jon Estes continues to honor coach Johnson with a blemish free season by nailing another field goal to push the Tiger lead to 9-7 at the half and a perfect 2-for-2 on extra points.

Lincoln County shot themselves in the foot in the form of a fumble on the first play of the game and the Tigers capitalized with a Hammons pass to Howard for a 13-yard score and an early 6-0 advantage after a failed two-point conversion.

"While I was at the line of scrimmage, I saw the safety shifting over to the number three receiver," Howard recalled. "As the play progressed I knew that I was going to be wide open and my quarterback threw a great ball."

That would be the entirety of the scoring from either team in the initial frame, but Estes pushed the Tiger lead to 9-0 on a 30-yard field goal from Estes midway through the second quarter.

The Falcons finally made some noise on the offensive side of the ball with a score on the ground with just 46 seconds remaining in the half to tighten the game up at 9-7 heading into the break.

Marshall County received the ball to start the second half and made quick work of the Falcons defense after a 29-yard kickoff return by Greer put the Tigers in great field position.

A 12-yard pass to Rucker put the Tigers close to the red zone, but in his only mistake on a near perfect night, Hammons threw an interception that was returned to the 24-yard line.

After the Tigers defense regained possession with no harm inflicted, it was Rucker's turn to make an error on a near-brilliant night, fumbling the ball just 25 yards from the end zone to keep the Falcons hopes alive.

Lincoln County returned the favor by driving all the way into its own red zone before fumbling the ball away with Wilson recovering.

The turnover frenzy finally ended with Falcons quarterback Jake Sorrels, son of Marshall County schools superintendent Jacob Sorrels, scoring on a one-yard quarterback sneak to put the visitors up 14-9 late in the third quarter.

Fortunately for the Tigers, the running back tandem of Rucker and Greer came through with two huge, clutch plays to keep the blue and white’s early season momentum alive.

Greer broke free for a 41-yard run and score to push the lead to 17-14 after a Rucker two-point conversion and Rucker redeemed his earlier fumble with an 88-yard burst for another score to put the game out of reach.

"The game was nip and tuck throughout," Osteen observed. "Obviously Javarria’s big TD run in the fourth quarter made it a two-score game and gave us some big momentum to finish."

Greer added a late six-yard score to finish with two touchdowns for the second straight week and give the Tigers a huge boost of confidence heading into an extremely important region opener on a short work week at Tullahoma (1-1).

"Tullahoma may not have a couple of the dynamic players they had last year, but they are still a very good team," Osteen pointed out. "They have no weakness in any area of their squad. They are also huge on both lines of scrimmage."

The Wildcats beat the Tigers by a combined three points in both meetings last year as Tullahoma went all the way to the 4A quarterfinals after going just 5-25 the previous three campaigns that included two winless seasons in 2015 and 2016.

Tullahoma started out the 2019 with a tough loss to 5A Shelbyville Central, whom the Tigers play next Friday, before bouncing back to add a 35-0 win over 6A Coffee County last week.

"We’re feeling really good right now," Howard said. “Our confidence level is high, but there's always room to improve as a team."

Lincoln County 0 7 7 0-14

Marshall County 6 3 8 14-31

Marshall County Offense

Total Yards (398): Rushing 250, Passing 148.

Rushing: Javarria Rucker 11-167-TD, Kel Greer 16-91-2TD, Bryson Hammons 1-(-8).

Passing: Bryson Hammons 15-17-148-TD-INT.

Receiving: Javarria Rucker 5-40, A’Ky Howard 2-39-TD, Andrew Gold 2-39, Devon Wilson 4-18, Devonte Davis 1-6, Christian Stacey 1-3.

Kicking

PAT: Jon Estes 2-2.

FG: Jon Estes 1-23.

Kickoffs: Jon Estes 4-202-TB, Carlos Alvarez 1-26.

Punts: Joseph Gold 2-53.

Returns

Kickoffs: Kel Greer 1-29.

Punts: Devon Wilson 2-2.

Defense

Tackles: Connor Hilton 14, Andrew Gold 9 (5 TFL), Devonte Davis 7, Tez Allen 7 (2 TFL), Kaden Whitson 4, Devon Wilson 4 (TFL), Christian Stacey 4 (FUM REC), Keylin Talley 4 (SACK), Chandler Davis 3 (2 TFL), Kortez Ingram 2, Riqkyous Summers 2, Logan McKnight 2 (2 TFL, FUM REC), A’Ky Howard 1, Jayden Hart 1, Omari Armstrong 1, Terry Gulley 1.