July 12, 2018
2017 in Review: The Lions were 3-7, with a very tough schedule. Their losses were to St. Peter’s Prep, Irvington, Mater Dei, Westwood, Caldwell, Mountain Lakes, and Whippany Park – teams that were a combined 56-19 last year, with the worst record among those teams being 7-3. The schedule will be tough this year, but not what it was last year.
Graduation Losses: Jeremiah Jamison – Monroe JC (NY), Jawon Leseur – Chowan U (NC), Colin Gordon-Green – Lackawanna JC (Pa.), Yassan Jackson – Kirkland Academy (NJ) prep school
Offense: Lincoln runs the spread and returns four starters. Returning at quarterback is junior Dayshaun Brooks (5-11, 185) and he will be backed up by senior Maurice Ezzell (5-8, 160). Running back will be a committee of seniors Cory Lee (5-8, 180), Messiah Green (5-8, 175), and Jamonte “Roach” Cunningham (5-7, 160), who scored seventeen touchdowns on the JV level.
Returning at wide receiver is senior Jamare Casey (5-7, 160). The other receivers will be senior Chris Pena (5-7, 165) – a defensive starter, senior Jaquin Wimbly (6-1, 175), and sophomore Mekiah Monroe (5-11, 185). When a tight end is used, it will be sophomore Shahid Williams (6-2, 245).
The line returns two starters in junior tackle Elijah Williams (6-3, 250), who played both tackle and center, plus senior Cottrell Hatchett (6-0, 255) at guard. The other starters will be junior tackle Damien Martinez (6-2, 260), junior center Kenneth Nina(5-9, 220), and senior guard Jalen Woodham (5-9, 195). In reserve will be junior Avery Williams (5-11, 275) at guard and center, sophomore Jershawn Freeman (5-9, 230), and junior Charlie “Mack” Alston (6-1, 280).
Defense: The Lions employ a 4-2-5 and return four starters. The starters will be senior Felix Igiri (5-9, 195) and Elijah Williams at the ends, with Shahid Williams supporting them. Martinez and Woodham are the tackles, with Alston, Lee, and sophomore Jaden “Hammer” Carter (5-10, 245) filling in at tackle.
Returning at inside linebacker is Hatchett, while Devon Jackson, Greene, and Nina will also be playing.
The secondary returns Wembly at free safety and Pena at strong safety. The other strong safety will be junior Jaquan McDuffie (5-10, 170). The backup among safeties is senior Najee Duncan (5-11, 160). The corners will be Casey and Cunningham, with Monroe and sophomore Zymil Speaks (5-6, 160) backing them up.
Special Teams: The kicker will be Lee and junior Dayshaun Brooks will punt. The return men will be Casey and Cunningham.
Schedule:
Friday, 8/31, Demarest, home at Caven Point, 7 PM
Friday, 9/7, at Hoboken, 7 PM
Saturday, 9/15, West Side, home at Caven Point, 7 PM
Friday, 9/21, at Caldwell, 7 PM
Friday, 9/28, at West Essex, 7 PM
Saturday, 10/6, Shabazz, home at Lincoln Park, 4 PM
Saturday, 10/13, Nutley, home at Lincoln Park, 1 PM
Friday, 10/19, at Newark Central (at Weequahic), TBA
Saturday, 10/27, Snyder, home at Lincoln Park, 1 PM
Recruits: Hatchett is hearing from Temple and UConn, plus schools from the 1-AA/D2 level. Casey is receiving looks from New Haven, while juniors Elijah Williams and Martinez have interest from Wagner.
Concerns: Depth at quarterback and overall depth at linebacker.
Comments: “We will have a high character team that is battle tested from last year’s schedule. We have been through some battles and will have a nice mix of young and old. Our character will see us through the season.” – Head Coach Robert Hampton