LCPA 2019 Football Season
This past football season was capped off by remaining undefeated for the regular season. Coach William Lowe and his staff did an outstanding job with the Blue Tigers. Reflecting on this past season, coach Lowe shared some of the highlights with me.
Before the season began coach knew that he had a lot of starters returning and felt that he had a chance of putting a team together that would be very competitive.
Getting the new field and all of the hoopla that was surrounding that element, he wanted the players to remain focused on football and the coming season.
The regular season doesn't start until after Labor Day, but in reality, the Tigers started in June. The team was at the school four days a week, lifting weights and doing conditioning.
For the first time ever, the team attended a team camp at William Jewel College for two days during the summer. The team slept in the dorms, and ate in the cafeteria, and had a chance to practice and play on a college field. Coach believes that set the tone for the season. That, in coach Lowe's mind, was a good bonding experience for the team. Although William Jewel is only half an hour from LCPA, it gave the kids a chance to get out of the city and witness what college life looks like up close. That entire experience coach Lowe believes impacted the team in a way that benefited them throughout the season.
Now to reflect on the season. The season started with a game at Hogan Prep, who by the way, the Tigers had not beaten ever, as coach Lowe remembers it. The Tigers were down at half-time 24-21. Coach challenged the team at halftime and they started the second half by scoring 27 unanswered points and wound up winning the game 48-24.
From that point on, for the kids to realize that they could beat a really good team and shut Hogan out the entire second half. The Tigers won the next game 67-0, beating a good Washington team out of (Kansas) which won the KCK league the previous year.
The victories continued as the season progressed. In week four the Tigers beat an undefeated Pembrook Day team 30-7, and it was the game of the week on local T.V.
After the Tigers played their homecoming game there was a unique opportunity. If you could put things in perspective, then the game against University City in St. Louis, MO. should be taken into account. On the way to St. Louis, the team stopped in Columbia, Mo., had a walk through then went on to St. Louis. This was an overnight trip, so the experience had a college feel to it. The Blue Tigers won 48-0. Move forward to week nine, and coach Lowe believes this was one of the toughest games of the year. The team faced Summit Christian, a private school in Lee's Summit, Mo. Both teams entered the contest with matching records of 8-0. The winner of the game would have home-field advantage. This was the second televised game of the season for the Blue Tigers. Great game, tied 14-14 at halftime. The Tigers won 35-21. These are just a few of the bright spots in the season of the Lincoln Blue Tigers. However, the season did suffer a terrible loss. The star running back was injured in an automobile accident during the latter part of the season. The football team, as well as the community, rallied around the family to give their support. The team showed a lot of mental toughness during that time. The automobile accident put everything into perspective. Our prayers are with the family and we are hoping for a full recovery from his injuries.
To sum things up, I think it's fair to assume that having a football stadium to call home, really made a difference this year, for the team, the coaching staff as well as the parents, school staff, and the entire community.
Hat's off to all who had a hand in contributing to the success of the LCPA Blue Tigers. This will be a season-long remembered by all.
The victories continued and the Blue Tigers finished the season undefeated during the regular season. In the playoffs the Tigers won three games before suffering defeat.
A SEASON TO BE PROUD OF. GOOD JOB COACHING AND TEACHING OUR YOUTH.