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