Can Colome slow down the beast that is Lincoln Gibbs
When last South Dakota saw Langford's Lincoln Gibbs he was ripping Harding County for 350 yards and 6 TD's as Langford captured the 9B title in 2015....He's BACK!
By Rich Winter
Almost have to apologize in advance because heading into this afternoon the Panic Button didn't know squat about the Langford Lions other than they were 11-1, scored 61 points in a semifinal win @ Harding County and won the South Dakota Class 9B championship in 2015.
So, decided to do a little checking and immediately became painfully aware of Langford RB, Lincoln Gibbs rushing 26 times for 350 yards and 6 TD's in last year's state championship win over Harding County.
Oh, that's what all the fuss is about!
At 6-feet and a rock-solid 205 pounds, clearly, Gibbs will be the focus of the Colome Cowboys as they face off against the defending champions on Thursday night in the Dakota Dome in Vermillion. Lest you think Gibbs is some kind of monster back that will only shove it down the other team's throat, this cat broke off a 98-yard, 3rd quarter run against Harding County last season that broke a 25-year-old record for the longest run in state championship history (Sully Buttes’ Travis Mercer had a 92-yard dash in 1990).
“We ran behind Carson and Wieker about 90 percent of our plays today and that’s been our game plan all year. Teams know we’re going to do that but those guys are just so good that we still trust it,” Langford coach Raasch told the Sioux Falls Argus leader moments after the state championship win. “Lincoln’s got that burst that when he gets to that hole it’s hard to catch him.”
If there is a bright spot for Colome fans in readying to face this fella, in 2015, Gibbs was running behind then seniors, Jordan Carson and Brady Wieker, who have since graduated.
Langford averaged 47 points during the regular season but had a blemish, a head scratching 44-6 loss to Warner on Sep. 23.
The playoffs have been more domination with the Lions downing Leola/Frederick 51-0, Wall 58-20 and getting past Harding County, 61-44 in an epic semi in Harding County.
Clearly, stopping Gibbs will be the key and the Colome front-7 will have to play well for the Cowboys to get the win.
