Linton Miners Fall to Brownstown Central Braves in Regional Championship, 43

LINTON — The Linton-Stockton Miners’ postseason run came to a close Friday night as they fell to the Brownstown Central Braves, 43–18, in the Class 2A Regional Championship at Roy Williams Field. Despite a season filled with offensive highlights and senior leadership, the Miners couldn’t overcome the Braves’ explosive ground game and early momentum.

The loss ends a strong 2025 season for Linton, which saw the team claim multiple decisive wins and standout performances across the board.

Season Leaders Shine

Senior standouts Paul Oliver, Russell Goodman, and Oliver Stephens led the Miners’ offensive charge throughout the season.

Oliver averaged 77.7 rushing yards per game and scored 17 total touchdowns, proving to be the team’s most dynamic offensive weapon.
Goodman followed closely with 57 rushing yards per game and 19 total touchdowns, showing consistency as both a runner and receiver.
Stephens led in receiving with 27.5 yards per game and added five interceptions on defense — a true two-way contributor.

On the defensive side, Corey Andrews anchored the lineup with 9.2 tackles per game, while Tanner Scharbrough tallied six sacks, and Tyler Franklin added pressure up front with 3.5 sacks of his own.

Team Effort and Resilience

In many of their regular-season victories — including commanding wins over Sullivan, Mitchell, and Greencastle — the Miners’ offense exploded for more than 40 points, a testament to both preparation and grit.

But in Friday’s regional matchup, Brownstown’s disciplined defense and clock-control offense proved difficult to counter. Despite flashes of brilliance, Linton couldn’t fully recover from early turnovers and big plays that put the Braves in control.

Seniors Leave a Legacy

While the loss stings, Linton’s senior class leaves behind an impressive legacy of leadership and heart. Players like Oliver, Goodman, Stephens, and Andrews have set the standard for toughness and commitment that will carry forward into next season.

Looking Ahead

With several key juniors and underclassmen returning — including Tanner Scharbrough and Tate Gamble — the Miners will look to reload for another deep postseason run in 2026.

While the scoreboard didn’t fall their way Friday night, one thing remains clear: Linton football’s heart, tradition, and community pride continue to run deep.