JESSICA HOPP - Staff Writer

MURFREESBORO — It was hard to say which was sweeter for Louis Thompson, earning career-win No. 200 at Lincoln County or ending Riverdale’s home winning streak of 23.

Either way, you couldn’t wipe the smile off the Lincoln County coach’s face last night if you tried.

“If you missed this one you missed a great high school football game,” said Thompson, a 34-year coaching veteran. “Two hundred wins, there’s a lot of losses in there, but to get 200 wins you have either been in a lot of time or you are getting kind of old or you’ve had some real good coaches and players.”

Riverdale nipped at the heals of Lincoln County several times, but the Falcons handed the Warriors a 26-21 loss.

“We remember our losses around here because we don’t have many,” Riverdale Coach Gary Rankin said.

Turnovers, of which Riverdale (2-1) had two — both interceptions — proved to be the difference between the teams. With Lincoln County (3-0) ahead by only six at the half, Riverdale staged a strong drive from its 20, but just as the Warriors pushed the ball over midfield, quarterback Dave Thomas threw into the hands of the Falcons’ Chanze Bryson.

Lincoln County took over at first-and-10 from the Riverdale 43, and together quarterback Michael Edmiston and tailback Josh Gregory moved the ball to the 17. After going on fourth-and-inches for another first down, Edmiston threw a pass to tight end Neon Dobbins for a touchdown that made the score 26-14 as the third quarter expired.

“We worked really hard to get ready for this,” said Dobbins, who also caught a 40-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter that made the score 14-0 in favor of the Falcons. “We beat them once last year, but they beat us when it counted. It just feels real good to beat them.”

Lincoln County staved off a Riverdale comeback until there was less than two minutes remaining in the game. It was then, following a six-play dive highlighted by a 25-yard run by Gaston Miller, that Thomas connected with Rahmel Oliver on an 18-yard pass into the end zone. The extra point by Tyler Campbell again brought the Warriors to 26-21, but with only 1:58 on the clock and a failed onsides kick, it was too little too late.

“I have no problem with [the loss],” Rankin said. “It was a great ball game. They were just a more experienced, more mature ball club. We just made too many mistakes to beat a team like that.”

Lincoln County struck first in the heated rivalry. A host of Falcons blocked Riverdale’s second punt of the game, giving the Falcons field position on the Warriors 27. Gregory and Edmiston traded turns carrying the ball, and seven plays later Gregory was in the end zone. Colbert kicked the extra point to give Lincoln County the 7-0 lead.

The Falcons waited only 12 seconds to take possession again when defensive back Arrington Bryson intercepted a pass on Riverdale’s following down. The Falcons took over on the Warriors 28, but a holding call forced them back to first-and-21 from the 40. No matter. Edmiston threw a pass to Dobbs who sprinted for the end zone and the Falcons second score. Another kick by Colbert and Lincoln County to a 14-0 lead with 3:06 left in the first quarter.