The Lincoln Trojans (10-2) are set to face off against the Niceville Eagles (11-1) in a highly anticipated 5A FHSAA Football State Championships playoff game on Friday, November 29 at 7 p.m. at Niceville’s home field. This game promises to be an exciting rematch, as the teams have already met this season in a non-conference game on October 18, where Niceville emerged victorious with a narrow 38-35 win.

Head-to-Head: Lincoln Looks for Redemption

In their first meeting this season, Lincoln struggled in the final quarter, allowing Niceville to secure a three-point win. Despite holding the lead at the half (17-7), Lincoln was outscored 14-7 in the second half, with Niceville’s offense proving just enough to close out the game. Lincoln will be hoping to turn the tables this time and use their strong season record to advance further into the playoffs.

Team Comparison: A Look at the Numbers

• Offensive Firepower:
  Both teams have been impressive on offense this season. Niceville has been more productive overall, averaging 37.1 points per game compared to Lincoln’s 32.8. Niceville’s offense is built around a potent running attack, averaging 196.7 rushing yards per game. Meanwhile, Lincoln has a more balanced offensive attack, rushing for 166.3 yards per game and passing for 141.3 yards.
  Quarterbacks Christian Sims Jr. of Lincoln and Kane Lafortune of Niceville have both shown the ability to lead their offenses effectively. Sims has thrown for an average of 129.2 yards per game, while Lafortune has amassed 112.5 yards through the air for Niceville.
• Defensive Strengths:
  On the defensive side, Niceville has the upper hand in terms of total tackles per game (66.8 vs. Lincoln’s 56.5) and sacks (3.1 per game vs. Lincoln’s 2.3). The Eagles have shown a strong ability to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, which will be crucial in limiting Lincoln’s offensive production.
  Lincoln’s defense, however, has been solid as well, with standout players like Chauncey Warren (6.9 tackles per game) leading the charge.
• Key Players to Watch:
  For Lincoln, running back Tadarius Huggins has been a key contributor, rushing for 65.9 yards per game and scoring 5.5 points per game. Meanwhile, Niceville will look to Connor Mathews (100.4 rushing yards per game) and Kane Lafortune to keep their offense moving forward and produce points when needed.

Records Breakdown: A Strong Season for Both Teams

• Lincoln: 10-2 overall, 6-1 at home, 3-1 on the road
• Niceville: 11-1 overall, undefeated at home (7-0), 4-1 on the road

While both teams have had strong seasons, Niceville enters the game with the momentum of being unbeaten at home this season, while Lincoln will look to use their experience from a tough non-conference schedule to make a deep playoff run.

Conclusion: A Game with High Stakes

This matchup promises to be a thrilling one, as both teams have shown the ability to put up big numbers on offense and stand strong on defense. With the game being played at Niceville, the Eagles will have the home-field advantage, but Lincoln’s resiliency and balanced attack make them a formidable opponent.

For fans of high school football, this playoff showdown in the 5A bracket is a must-watch as both teams aim for a spot in the next round of the 2024 FHSAA Football State Championships.