By DAEJAH MONTGOMERY

The Danville Admirals were Bulldogs for a night, but Lincoln County had the bigger bite.

It was Danville’s night to represent the former Bate High School, as the Admirals wore their purple and yellow Bate jerseys on the field in the annual game at which alumni of the school that educated Black students until 1964 were recognized.

Lincoln, led by first-year coach Levi Rogers, came looking for its first victory on the field over Danville in nearly 40 years Friday and got it with a 42-0 shutout of the Admirals.

Danville’s defense put up a fight on a rainy night at Andy Frye Stadium, but the Patriots’ offense ran the ball past them multiple times.

Lincoln (3-0) gained a total of 369 yards, compared to 83 for Danville (0-3).

Naythan Doyle contributed most of the Admirals’ yardage with a total of 48 passing yards. The Admirals had some good drives throughout the game – getting close to the end zone many times – but missed any scoring chances.

Danville coach Frank Parks Jr. said the Admirals make good plays and work hard during practices, but they haven’t transferred it over to the field.

“I just have to find a way to teach these boys how to play under the lights,” Parks said.

Six different players had rushing touchdowns for Lincoln, which got just its third win in 27 games against Danville. (The Patriots beat the Admirals 20-0 in 1988 and got a win by forfeit in 2004.)

The Patriots ran for 287 yards, led by Kash Smith with 91 yards and Damon Spigle with 89.

Danville opened the game with a first down but eventually gave up the ball to the Patriots. Thirty-three yards later, Bryce Floyd took the ball to the end zone.

Almost immediately after the Patriots got the ball back, Bradley Cole took the ball to the end zone once again.

Lincoln got four consecutive first downs in the second quarter to set up a Tucker Foster touchdown, but Danville’s defense toughened up after that and didn’t allow another first down the rest of the quarter.

The third quarter, though, started with a touchdown by Smith. Danville’s offense struggled to get past Lincoln, and when Trinden Sellers did, a flag was thrown that took the touchdown off the board.

The Patriots’ offense easily made it by the Admirals, making it a running clock in the third quarter.

Danville pushed back in the fourth quarter, gaining most of its first downs then before Lincoln added one more score.