TEAM PREVIEW: Lincoln

2012 In Review: The Lions were 7-3, losing to Caldwell in the first round of the North Jersey Section 2 Group 2 playoffs in overtime. They scored 313 points for a 31.3 average, while allowing 173 points for a 17.3 average. Wins included St. Anthony, North Bergen, Dover, and Livingston, while their other losses were to Hoboken and Passaic Valley.

Departures: QB Isaiah Roberts - West Virginia as preferred walk-on with academic scholarship, OL/DL Sherman Nalls - Lackawanna JC (Pa.), OL/DL Jeremiah Peguero - Wesley, WR/P Bradley Mosioma - Mt. Ida (Mass.), RB/DB Quaseir Hopkins - Contra Costa JC (Cal.). In addition, QB/DB Ronald Butler - Utah State after spending two years at junior college, QB Lamar McKnight - Tennessee State after two years at junior college

Offense: Lincoln runs a multiple spread and returns five starters. Quarterback is a four way race, with senior Tyrik Darby (5-foot-10, 185), junior Darius Wade (5-foot-9, 165), sophomore Jay Harrison (6-foot-1, 175), and junior Will Albright (6-foot-1, 175) battling it out. Darby and Wade were starters at wide receiver a year ago. Running back returns junior Devell Jones (6-foot-1, 205), who rushed for 1,100 yards last year. Also in the mix will be junior Trevor Mayo (6-foot-0, 210), senior Terry Linyard (5-foot-6, 155), and junior Tyquan Simmons (5-foot-10, 175).

Wide receiver will have sophomore Frank Darby (6-foot-2, 175), junior Jerrell Payne (5-foot-9, 175), senior Raekwon Allen (5-foot-9, 175), and at least two from Tyrik Darby, Wade, and Harrison - whichever ones don't win the quarterback job. Tyrik Darby and Wade started here last year. When a tight end is used, it will be senior Caleb Hebron (6-foot-3, 235).

The line returns two starters in junior center Daijon Robinson (6-foot-2, 265) and junior tackle Terrence Barfield (6-foot-2, 215). Battling at guard will be senior Javon Saunders (6-foot-0, 315). Competing at both guard and tackle are sophomore James Brunson (6-foot-1, 230), senior Jakeem Graham (5-foot-9, 210), senior Freddie Perry (6-foot-1, 225), senior Jerrel Darby (5-foot-11, 210), and senior Damien Britt (5-foot-11, 210). Pushing for time could be freshman Markese Trent (6-foot-2, 315).

Defense: The Lions run a 4-4/Bear and return four starters. Returning at end is Hebron and Robinson is a three year starter at tackle. The opposite end will be Barfield and pushing for time are juniors D'Andre Wright (6-foot-2, 185) and Stephon Jeter (6-foot-2, 190). Graham will probably play opposite Robinson at tackle and Trent will be in the rotation.

Tyrik Darby is a returning starter at outside linebacker, moving from cornerback. Simmons will play opposite him. Inside linebacker has Mayo, Payne, Jerrel Darby, and senior Altay Dennard (6-foot-1, 180) in the hunt.

In the secondary, Allen returns at safety, being supported by Harrison. Frank Darby and Wade will be the cornerbacks, with Linyard and Devell Jones also in the running.

Special Teams: Kicker is open and Frank Darby is the punter. Tyrik Darby, Linyard, Wade, and Allen are the return men.

Schedule:

Thursday, 9/12, at Livingston, 7PM

Saturday, 9/21, Dover, 1PM

Friday, 9/26, Snyder, 7PM

Friday, 10/4, at Marist, 7PM

Friday, 10/11, at Hoboken, 7PM

Saturday, 10/19, Hudson Catholic, 5PM

Saturday, 10/26, St. Anthony, 5PM

Saturday, 11/2, at Passaic Valley, 1PM

11/8-9, Hudson County crossover game to be determined later

Question Marks: Offensive line and quarterback. They have been successful with quarterbacks in the past and this is the first year under head coach Robert Hampton where quarterback is a question. There are good athletes with good arms, but nobody has stepped up.

Recruiting: Hebron is a 1-AA/1-A prospect, getting interest from James Madison, New Hampshire, Towson, Monmouth, Rutgers, and Penn State. Tyrik Darby has interest from Monmouth. Allen and Linyard have interest from D2 Wingate.

Jones has interest from Penn State, Rutgers, and Iowa. Mayo has heard from Temple and Penn State. Robinson, a valedictorian in grammar school, has heard from Penn State, Rutgers, Temple, Monmouth, and Towson.

Coach's Comments: "We're going to be pretty good. We're young, but I'm optimistic and we have good potential for the playoffs. It will depend on our line play and overall character of our football team. So far, we have a good work ethic and we're strong in the weight room." - Head Coach Robert Hampton