A pair of postseason-bound teams battle for playoff positioning in the final MetroNews Television Game of the Week for the 2026 regular season when Class AA No. 9 Lincoln welcomes No. 7 Philip Barbour in a Big 10 Conference battle from Stydahar Field at 7 p.m.
Both squads remain well in the mix for a top 8 seed that would allow for a first-round playoff game at home, but that will be determined by Friday’s outcome.
The Colts (6-3) have won four straight since a three-game skid, while the Cougars (5-4) saw their three-game win streak halted last week with a 28-14 loss to Doddridge County.
WATCH PHILIP BARBOUR @ LINCOLN ON METRONEWS TV
Three keys to watch for:
- Execution
The Cougars have a plenty formidable and balanced offense that relies on steady play from quarterback Bear Saab, a quality ground game centered around tailback Connor Rice and the ability to get the ball into the hands of playmaking wideouts Colton Edwards and Jacob Bart.
LHS has scored at least 14 points in all nine games and 21-plus in all but two, but will need to avoid long down and distance situations for offensive success against the Colts.
PB, meanwhile, doesn’t go to the air quite as often as Lincoln, but quarterback Robbie Jones is plenty capable of completing passes and benefits from handing the ball to one of the state’s most productive tailbacks in Landyn Carpenter, who’s surpassed 1,700 rushing yards and scored 21 touchdowns on the ground.
Winning first down will be critical for the Cougars’ defense.
- Stay the course
Both teams have navigated challenging schedules to winning records through Week 10 and have very similar point totals and points allowed.
The Colts have scored 256 points and surrendered 222, while the Cougars have scored 263 and allowed 220.
That could reason one to believe a close contest is in store, and if so, the ability to move forward from negative plays and stay in the moment will be key in determining the outcome.
- Turnover battle
Limiting mistakes will be pivotal, particularly on the part of Lincoln.
The Cougars had a tough time getting on track offensively in last week’s loss to Doddridge County, and while they were held to fewer than 200 total yards, the three turnovers also loomed large.
Philip Barbour will look to cause problems with its physicality, and if the Colts can gain a first-half lead, it will only enhance the chances of their defense creating more havoc.