LINCOLN, Calif. — At every level, sports teach a lot of important life lessons. One of the most common is perseverance. ABC10's Northwest Exteriors Game of the Week features a pair of schools who, just a year ago, were struggling to find any sort of success on the football field. On Friday night, they clash as two of the only remaining undefeated teams in the Sac-Joaquin Section.
Last season, the Lincoln High School Fighting Zebras won just a single game. They were 0-4 through their first four games of the season. Today, they're 4-0 and have completely turned the program around after one offseason, filled with hard work.
"I think we took it personal, and we wanted to change that," said Lincoln junior quarterback Eli Duff.
Lincoln was battling the loss of students and athletes after Twelve Bridges High School opened. The players and coaches who decided to remain Zebras knew they were in for a tough challenge and still overcame it.
"It could've been very easy for myself and other coaches to walk away," said Lincoln Head Coach Allen Berg, "We knew it was coming. We stayed, we believed in the kids we had, we knew it was going to be rough and we just coached extra hard. I think that's paid off this year".
In Wheatland, the Pirates haven't won more than three games over the last few seasons. They too are a perfect 4-0 to start the year. And Head Coach Andy Fatten said it's a result of the work they put in every day.
"It's tenacity and toughness. They push each other in the weight room, out on the field, day in and day out. There's no days off," he said.
In terms of record, you can't be better than 4-0 to start the season. But Wheatland feels they can still be a lot better.
"I think we can do so much better. I don't think we've even hit 50% of what we can do, honestly," said Pirates junior quarterback Cash Tarrant.
The two undefeated teams clash Friday night. Somebody has to lose, and Wheatland is coming ready for battle.
"I'm expecting them to come for a fight and be nice and aggressive," said senior linebacker Isaac Martin. "But we're going to be more aggressive. We're going to punch them in the mouth."
While the Fighting Zebras don't want to get too far ahead of themselves, senior running back Lane Tingey feels that, with a win Friday night, the door to a perfect season is wide open.
"We think if we do beat (Wheatland), we will go 10-0 and win league," Tingey said.
Kickoff from Lincoln High School is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.
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