The players are ready; the locker room isn't.
Construction at Lincoln High School's athletic facilities remains incomplete. But while Lincoln's football players will be toting their things in mesh bags for at least the rest of the month, that has done nothing to dull the verve for one of the most anticipated seasons in school history.
The No. 7 Railsplitters, coming off a conference championship and a playoff appearance, host Council Bluffs Lincoln tonight.
"Our skill (positions) are our strength. All three of our running backs have a lot of experience. Our biggest concern is the offensive line; we have to replace four starters," coach Tom Mihalovich said.
He is less concerned about his defense, where seven starters return, including well-publicized college recruit Jordan Bernstine at free safety. Believed by some to be the best player in the state, Bernstine will also see plenty of action at running back.
"If I don't get him the ball a lot, I should be fired," Mihalovich said.
The presence of Bernstine should ease the transition for new quarterback Andrew Doyle, a junior.
"Any little pass he can turn into a big play. That takes a lot of pressure off my shoulders," Doyle said.
Doyle was the starting quarterback on last season's sophomore team and beat out senior Kevin Johnson to replace Lewis Fondren - last year's starter who led Lincoln to an 8-2 record.
"He's a smart kid with good size. If he plays within himself, he'll be a heck of a factor for us," Mihalovich said. "Is he going to be as good a runner as Lewis? No, but he's got good enough feet to attack the perimeter."
Doyle is a lifelong south-sider and grew up watching the transformation of the Lincoln program from dormant to dominant.
"I saw the bad seasons and I saw us get better every year. Everybody is more excited on the south side, and a lot more people are coming to the games," Doyle said.
Last season's breakthrough was the first playoff appearance since 1976 and included a win against Ottumwa, which had not lost to a Des Moines school since 1989.
"We won't be sneaking up on anybody, but if you're always sneaking up on people that means you weren't that good the year before," Mihalovich said.
Mihalovich, entering his sixth season, said Ottumwa is this year's favorite, but Roosevelt coach Joe Hornback isn't buying it.
"I think it's all about Lincoln right now," Hornback said. "Lincoln has replaced Ottumwa as the dominant team in our league."
While conference play is still two weeks away, Council Bluffs Lincoln is ready to provide an immediate challenge.
"We heard they average 295 on the offensive line. They lost a lot of skill guys, but they've got a reputation for being very physical," Mihalovich said.
This is the third straight year the Lincolns have played each other, with each team winning at home in the previous matchups. In both years, the winning team made the playoffs and the losing team did not.
