Post 286 – HS Football Preview 2019: Lincoln

Lincoln Lions

2018 in Review:  

  • 7-3
  • Lost to Bernards in Central Jersey Group 2 in first round
  • Scored 217 points – 21.7 average
  • Allowed 141 points – 14.1 average
  • Wins Included: Demarest, Hoboken, West Side, Caldwell  
  • Losses: West Essex, Shabazz

Departing Seniors:

  • RB/DB Jamar Casey – American International
  • WR/DB Ricky Lancaster – Sacred Heart
  • DB Najee Duncan – Delaware Valley
  • RB/DT Cory Lee – Keystone (new Division 3 in Pennsylvania)
  • DL Jalen Woodham – Caldwell
  • QB Maurice Ezell – Caldwell
  • WR/DB Chris Pena – Caldwell
  • RB/DL Felix Igiri – ASA JUCO (NY)
  • DL Cottrell Hatchett – Lackawanna JC (Pa.)
  • WR/DB Jaquin Wimberly – Hocking JC (Ohio)

*The bold print is a returning starter. This includes one who had playing time and one who started on the other side of the ball only in 2018, with explanation included after their name.

Offense:

Formation: Spread
Returning Starters: 6

Quarterback:

  • Deshaun Banks, Senior, 6-0, 175, started six games before breaking foot
  • Jamiel “Oatmeal” Lawrence, Junior, 5-11, 205 – pushing for time

Running Back:

  • Committee or someone will emerge
  • Kyleen Crawford, Senior, 5-11, 185, first year playing football
  • Steven Jones, Senior, 5-10, 215
  • Jaylen Tucker, Senior, 5-8, 175 – Snyder transfer
  • Devin Jackson, Junior, 5-9, 170 – started on defense
  • Virgil Bryant, Junior, 5-11, 205 – converted lineman

Wide Receiver:

  • Mekhi Monroe, Junior, 6-0, 185
  • Jacquan McDuffy, Senior, 5-8, 175 – played on offense, started on defense  
  • Zymil Speaks, Junior, 5-7, 155 – started on defense
  • Toriano “Naz” Mumford, Junior, 6-4, 185 – basketball player going out for football

Tight End (When Used):  

  • Shahid Williams, Junior, 6-3, 245 – did not play football last year
  • Tivon Bligen, Junior, 6-2, 205 – did not play last year
  • Justin Murphy, Sophomore, 6-4, 185 – did not play football last year

Offensive Line:  

  • All five starters return
  • T – Elijah Williams, Senior, 6-3, 265 – returning starter
  • G – Avery Williams, Senior, 5-10, 275 – returning starter
  • C – Ken “Beetlejuice” Nina, Junior, 5-10, 220 – returning starter
  • G – Damian Martinez, Senior, 6-2, 255 – returning starter
  • T – Jershawn Freeman, Junior, 5-10, 235 – returning starter
  • Competing for time:
  • Norian Wilson, Senior, 6-4, 245 – Snyder transfer
  • D’Andre Smith, Sophomore, 6-2, 250
  • Mekhi Harmon, Sophomore, 5-9, 240

Defense:

Formation: 4-2-5
Returning Starters: 5

End:

  • Elijah Williams – returning starter   
  • Norian Wilson

Tackle:

  • Avery Williams – returning starter
  • Damian Martinez – started on offense

Inside Linebackers (two):  

  • Virgil Bryant
  • Steven Jones
  • Competing for time:
  • Kevin Hebron, Junior, 6-1, 215
  • Hebron

Cornerback:

  • Zymil Speaks – returning starter
  • Jelani “Ginn” Brown, Junior, 5-7, 155

Strong Safeties (two):  

  • Jaylen Tucker
  • Mekhi Monroe
  • Competing for time:
  • Devin Jackson – returning starter who may start on offense and on may start, play, or compete on defense
  • Jamiel Lawrence  

Free Safety:

  • Jacquan McDuffy – returning starter  
  • Competing for time:
  • Nyriq Brown, Freshman, 5-11, 155
  • Khalil “Paco” Forbes, 5-10, 155

Special Teams:

  • Punter – Brooks
  • Kicker, Return Men and Long Snapper to be determined  

Schedule:  

  • Friday, 9/6, at Demarest
  • Friday, 9/13, Hoboken, home at Caven Point
  • Friday, 9/20, at West Side
  • Friday, 9/27, Caldwell, home at Lincoln Park
  • Friday, 10/4, West Essex, home at Lincoln Park
  • Friday, 10/11, at Shabazz
  • Friday, 10/19, at Nutley
  • Saturday, 10/26, Newark Central, home at Caven Point
  • Saturday, 11/2, at Snyder

Concerns:  

  • Special teams is the main concern, especially kicker and long snapper
  • Running back depth – there is talent, but someone must assert himself as starter
  • Overall, the team is solid on both sides of the ball

Recruiting:   

  • Elijah Williams has offers from Bryant and New Mexico Highlands
  • Tucker and Wilson have interest from Ivy League schools
  • Martinez and Avery Williams have interest from East Stroudsburg and American International
  • Underclassmen have talent, but need to produce

Coach’s Comments:

“We have an extremely battle-tested team returning, both physically and mentally. We continue to compete and be contenders. With the offensive line returning, we believe we are well-suited to make a playoff run.” – Head Coach Robert Hampton

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