Football set to kick off

Football set to kick off

By RON GREGORY
Sports Editor

HAMLIN — Those anxious to get a first look at the Lincoln County High School football team will get their chance Monday, August 14.

That evening, at 6:30 p.m., the Panthers will host Wayne County in a pre-season scrimmage at Hamlin Lions Club Field.

LCHS Head Football Coach John Shimp said he is looking forward to the event as well.

“This will give us a chance to give everybody a good look over,” said Shimp. “Fans can get to see the kind of team we will have.”

Opponents have also been selected for the Mountain State Athletic Conference’s grid-o-rama, scheduled for Charles-ton’s Laidley Field.

The Panthers will meet Capital High at 8 p.m., and then take on George Washington at 9 p.m.

Shimp said 49 players were on his roster at the end of the first week of practice. He said he expected “a couple of more” when they return from summer vacations.

Freshmen were allowed to practice for the first time Monday, August 7. Shimp said he was anticipating 30 to 35 of those for the freshman squad.

In addition, Shimp said the varsity’s second year schedule is being finalized. That will be the first year LCHS is a full-fledged member of the MSAC.

Because of conference membership, all but two of 2007’s games were scheduled by the league, Shimp said.

The first two contests were scheduled by Shimp. On August 24, 2007, the Panthers host Greenbrier East and on August 31, Winfield comes to Hamlin.

Shimp said he expects Winfield to be an annual opponent. “I think they will go to triple-A,” he said.

Others on the 2007 schedule include: Riverside at Hamlin on September 7; Cabell Midland away on September 14; Nitro at Hamlin on September 21; Parkersburg at Hamlin on September 28; Hurricane away on October 5; Spring Valley away on October 12; St. Albans away on October 19; and South Charleston away on October 26.

Greenbrier East will host the Panthers on August 29, 2008. Winfield welcomes Lincoln County High on September 5.

Riverside is the away opponent on September 12. Others on the schedule are: Cabell Midland at Hamlin, September 19; Nitro away, September 26; Parkersburg, away, October 3; Hurricane at Hamlin, October 10; Spring Valley at Hamlin, October 17; St. Albans at Hamlin, October 24; and South Charleston at Hamlin, October 31.