Robert Hampton is a huge music buff. The head coach of the Lincoln High School football team can rattle off recording artists and the years of their greatest hits faster than Casey Kasem.
So that’s why Hampton is calling upon his music knowledge to refer to his team’s hopes and chances this season.
“We don’t want to be a one-hit wonder,” Hampton said. “We have to build on our success. We got a taste of the [NJSIAA state] playoffs and we want to go back. We’re physical and we’re fast. We are going to compete against everyone. But it can’t be a one-hit wonder and I told it to the kids.”
Hampton said that he rattled off names of artists who had only one hit on the pop record charts. The players never heard of any of them.
“LaToya Jackson only had one hit,” Hampton said. “Even Gloria Gaynor only had one. We don’t want to be like that.”
The Lions were 6-4 last year and qualified for the NJSIAA Group II playoffs, the school’s first state playoff appearance since 1987.
And with several key players returning this year, there’s no reason to think why the Lions can’t make it consecutive state playoff appearances for the first time since 1981.
“Our expectations are the same,” Hampton said. “We expect to be back in the playoffs.”
One of the reasons why Hampton feels confident about his team’s chances is the “Triple Threat” that the Lions have returning, namely standout quarterback Lamar McKnight, wide receiver Ronald Butler, and running back Tyron Stevens.
“I think they’re like the Dallas Cowboys, when the Cowboys had Troy Aikman [at quarterback], Michael Irvin [at wide receiver] and Emmitt Smith [at running back],” Hampton said. “They are all very talented.”
Lamar McKnight (6-3, 185), who earned Hudson Reporter All-Area honors last year at quarterback, returns to lead the Lions’ offense. A three-year starter, McKnight has developed from an emotional and untamed sophomore into a true spiritual and physical leader.
“This is his team,” Hampton said of McKnight. “It’s his turn. He took control of the team last year, but this year, it’s all on him. He can throw and he can also run.”
Stevens (5-10, 195) is only a junior, but he’s made his mark in both his first two years with the Lincoln program, rushing for nearly 900 yards and nine touchdowns last year.
“He’s the most dominant running back in the county, outside of the St. Peter’s Prep kids,” Hampton said of Stevens. “He has a chance to become a 3,000-yard rusher in his career here. We’ve never had one at Lincoln. Ty can play with the best.”
Butler (6-1, 190) is also a junior who possesses great hands and blazing speed.
“I can’t say enough about the kid,” Hampton said. “We have to find ways to get him the ball.”
The Lions’ skilled players don’t end there. Fullbacks Aziz Wright (5-8, 190), a senior, and junior Deshawn Goodwin (5-10, 190), a transfer from St. Anthony, will get their share of carries. Darryl McKnight (6-2, 185), a junior and the younger brother of the quarterback, will get his share of receptions, as will senior Marcus Hobbs (5-8, 165). There’s a lot of depth in the skilled positions.
But Hampton knows where the key to the Lions’ success lies.
“Our line has to play,” Hampton said. “If they don’t play, we’re in trouble.”
Senior Jermaine Myrick (6-3, 250) is the lone returning starter up front at guard. The rest are newcomers, namely junior tackle Shavell Daniels (6-2, 245), junior guard Dwayne Larkin (6-2, 285), junior Sean Dickson (6-3, 230), who can play either guard or tackle and junior center Paris Williams (5-11, 225).
On defense, Hampton will try to go two-platoon as much as possible. Myrick, who was a standout at defensive tackle last year, returns there, along with senior Matt Tutton (5-11, 235).
Seniors Juan Johnson (6-3, 215) and Jose Bautista (6-3, 205) will play the defensive end slots.
Senior Quwan Mack (5-10, 185), who led the team in tackles last year, returns to his inside linebacker slot, along with junior Edwin Celestin (5-10, 195). Wright and Terrence “TNT” Thomas, a 5-11, 180-pound senior, are the outside linebackers.
The secondary lost standout All-Area performer Kenneth Brandon to graduation, but will count on senior Larrell Snell (5-8, 170), Darryl McKnight and Hobbs to provide speed and coverage back there. Junior Alex Wooten (6-1, 190) is the team’s free safety. He’s the nephew of former Snyder and University of Iowa standout Louis King, so Wooten has defensive back skills in his blood. The Lions open Sept. 11 against Bayonne, then face Kearny and St. Anthony in the following weeks. The only down side to Lincoln’s schedule? They no longer play Jersey City rivals Dickinson and Ferris.
“But I think the new schedule will make us better challenged at the end of the season,” Hampton said. “We have to combine the mental aspect, the positive approach along with our athletic skills. If we can handle that, then we should make the playoffs again. But if we have the typical urban problems that hurt inner-city public schools, then we’ll go back to where we were. But I like the character of this team. It’s a good group of kids. I expect big things.”
And certainly no thoughts of Vickie Sue Robinson, Zager and Evans and the DeFranco Family. All one-hit wonders. Lincoln can’t be like them. – Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.