The Lincoln High School football program has made major strides over the last few seasons, including two straight trips to the NJSIAA Group II state playoffs.
Now, the Lions are ready to make another step up the ladder – only this time, it will be in a different enrollment group and playoff bracket.
If the Lions are to make their third straight appearance in the state playoffs, which would be a first for Lincoln football, they will do so in the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group I bracket – the same bracket that has housed local perennial powers Hoboken and Secaucus (a sectional finalist last year), as well as other strong programs as Dayton Regional, New Providence, Becton Regional, Belvidere and New Providence.
It’s almost unfathomable to believe that Lincoln’s enrollment has dropped so dramatically, down to Group I status, but it’s true and probably a sign of the times in the Jersey City school system.
In any case, the Lions, who finished 8-2 last year after falling to Orange in the opening round of the NJSIAA state playoffs, have to play with a different mindset this season.
“We’re trying to become the first Lincoln team to make the state playoffs three years in a row,” said head coach Robert Hampton, who enters his fifth season as the head coach at his alma mater. “That’s the selling point we’re giving to the kids. That’s our mantra. We’re playing for our school, our community, our city and our county. We have to put everything in order. We’re going from the hunter to the hunted.
Added Hampton, “I think we’re ready to take the next step up. Over the years, we’ve had to deal with some character issues, but we don’t have that problem anymore. We have a good bunch of kids who listen and want to learn. They’re a hungry team and have the desire to be recognized as a good team. But we still have a lot to prove. We have to get out of the first round of the state playoffs and now, we’re in a different world in Group I. We have to prove we belong there and prove we can play with anyone. Getting out of the first round will be a sign that we’re continuing the excellence.”
The Lions lost a lot of key players from last year’s state playoff squad, but still return a host of talented performers, including one of the best running backs in the school’s history.
Senior Ty Stevens (5-11, 205) has a chance to become the school’s all-time leading rusher by season’s end. He more than likely will go over the 3,000-yard plateau for career rushing yards.
“We have to keep him healthy,” Hampton said of Stevens, who had 920 yards and 17 touchdowns in only eight games last season, missing the other three due to injury. “We go where he goes.”
Senior Ronald Butler (6-1, 180), who saw limited action at quarterback last year, playing mostly at wide receiver, becomes the Lions’ full-time signal caller this season.
“The team is very confident with Ronald at quarterback,” Hampton said.
The third piece to the Lincoln “triplet threat” offense is wide receiver Deshawn Goodwin (5-10, 205), who had 350 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving last year.
“He’s one of the most underrated players around,” Hampton said.
Hampton will look to junior Theodore Spann (5-8, 170), junior Earl Lawton (5-7, 180) and senior Harun Bethea (5-9, 180) to see time in the backfield.
Senior Anthony Jackson (6-0, 180), senior Keshawn Fuller (6-2, 190) and junior Deshawn Jackson (6-0, 175) round out the receiving corps. The Jacksons are not related.
All of the aforementioned skilled players will get their fair chance to play in the Lions’ spread offensive attack. Hampton moves the players in and out to keep them fresh.
The Lions’ offensive line is filled with a lot of size.
Senior Paris Williams (5-11, 240) is a mainstay at center, with seniors Dwayne Larkin (6-2, 285), Jesse Taylor (6-1, 270) and Cary Donawa (5-6, 240) all seeing time at guard. Hampton didn’t know Donawa’s name at first, so he affectionately calls him by his uniform jersey number.
“I didn’t know his name, but I knew his number was 75,” Hampton said. “We call him ‘75’.”
The tackles are sophomore Jeremiah Peguero (6-0, 240), senior Shavell Daniels (6-2, 250), senior Terrell Rogers (5-11, 240) and senior Sean Dickson (6-3, 235).
Since Dickinson dropped its football program, Lincoln has received three offensive players who were members of the Dickinson squad last fall, namely Fuller, Deshawn Jackson and Rogers.
The biggest contribution from the Dickinson program may be junior outside linebacker Joshua Wooten (6-2, 210), who has the makings of being a standout performer.
Rogers, Dickson and “75” Donawa will see time at defensive tackle. Hampton likes what he sees out of freshman defensive end Aljamier Wilson (6-2, 270), who is the cousin of graduated football standout/shot put king Samard Walker-Butler.
Senior Edwin Celestin (5-10, 220) is the team’s top returning tackler who had eight sacks last year. Peguero, Bethea and Fuller will also see time at linebacker.
The Lions’ secondary looks strong with Spann and Butler at cornerback and Stevens and senior Alex Wooten (6-1, 185), Joshua’s brother, at safety.
The Lions open the season Sept. 10 against Ferris.
“We have to set the record straight, because we haven’t beaten Ferris in 10 years,” Hampton said. “We’re excited about getting the season going. It’s a good group of kids and I still believe that we have something to prove.”
One thing is for sure. In the Group I bracket, you can’t afford many losses, so the Lions have to be at their very best from the start of the season.
“We’ll be ready,” Hampton said. “I’m confident about that.” – Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.