ROANOKE, Va. – Doug Cook (Dania Beach, FL/University School of Nova SE University) threw three interceptions and the offense never seemed to get on track as Mac Shinhoster carried the Virginia University of Lynchburg football team to an 18-2 victory over Lincoln in the 12^th Annual Western Virginia Education Classic on Saturday at William Fleming High School.
 
Shinhoster, who was named the classic's Offensive Most Valuable Player, rushed for 187 yards on 29 carries to lead the Dragons to 230 total yards of offense. The classic named Lincoln's Tim Green (Fanwood, N.J./Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS) as the Defensive Most Valuable Player as he recorded eight tackles, including a pair of sacks.
 
After a scoreless opening quarter in which both teams were sloopy with the football, the Dragons marched 83 yards in nine plays as Shinhoster busted through the Lincoln defense and went 32 yards for the touchdown to give VUL a 6-0 advantage with 5:20 remaining in the first half.
 
The Dragons (3-5) had an opportunity to add more points on the scoreboard with less than two minutes remaining, but a field goal attempt by Elliot Moore was blocked and the Lions took over at the 50 with 52 seconds left in the second quarter. However, on the very next play, Cook's pass was picked off as VUL took a 6-0 lead into the half.
 
VUL, which held the ball for 38 minutes, opened the second half with the football and didn't waste any time by going 30 yards in just four plays as LaCalv Hickman scored on an 8-yard run to extend the lead to 12-0 as the 2-point conversion failed with 13:13 left in the third quarter.
 
The Lions (2-7) finally got on the scoreboard with 2:48 remaining in the quarter.
 
After failing to convert a fourth down play, the defense got a much-needed sack on Delont Williams in the endzone for the safety, cutting the margin to 12-2.
 
However, that would be as close as Lincoln would get as Shinhoster put the game away with 8:31 remaining on a 33-yard run down the right sideline to cap a 5-play, 58-yard drive to give the Dragons an 18-2 lead with 8:31 left.
 
Cook was 15-of-35 passing for 102 yards – his lowest output of the season. Matthew Coston (Queens, N.Y./Dover HS) caught eight balls for 52 yards and Fidel Cooper (Patterson, N.J./Patterson Catholic HS) added three catches for 24 yards. Cooper led the Lions on the ground with 57 yards on 17 rushes.
 
Daron Jones (Baltimore, Md./Cardinal Gibbons HS) paced the defense with 16 tackles, including a sack. Brandon McElwee (Gloucester City, N.J./Gloucester City Junior and Senior HS) recorded nine tackles and Jeff Edwards chipped in with eight.
 
VUL quarterbacks – Williams and Avery Neloms – combined to go 3-of-9 passing for 35 yards. Defensively, Derron Hall registered eight tackles, while Mario Woods and Marquevi Myers each had six.
 
Lincoln concludes the season 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 5 in Elizabeth City, N.C., against Elizabeth City State University in a CIAA Northern Division contest.