The Lincoln High School football team made the NJSIAA state semifinals, this time in Central Jersey Group II, for the fourth straight year last year. The Lions also went undefeated in the New Jersey Super Football Conference-American Blue Division with a pristine 5-0 record.
But the Lions are not about to rest on their past laurels.
Veteran head coach Robert Hampton said that the Lions will face a tough road in 2017.
“It’s our toughest schedule ever,” said Hampton, who guided his team to a 6-5 record overall last season. “We don’t run from anyone. We realized that if we play a tough schedule, we will be a better team at the end of the season. These kids have all been in big games. We have a good mix of veteran kids and inexperience.”
But the one thing that the Lions lack is big-time star power – and that’s perfectly fine with Hampton. He wants to take a page out of the book scripted by legendary New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
“We’re taking the Belichickian approach this year,” Hampton said. “We want to promote the reliable players. We want to promote the ones who play their tails off all the time. I don’t think we have any [NCAA] Division I athletes this year, but we have a bunch of kids who are tough and not flashy. The ones who run hard and play hard and aren’t worried about anything else. That’s the Bill Belichick way and it’s a way that makes sense for us.”
Hampton said that he’s only worried about results, not how his team looks on film for college coaches and scouts.
“I don’t want to worry about the flash,” Hampton said. “I want them to be grinders. I want them to work hard. This is the best pure character team I’ve had since 2011. It’s a nice mix of youth and experience, but all our key guys have played in big games.”
And as for the tough schedule?
“These guys believe that they can play with the best teams,” Hampton said.
The Lions are utilizing two quarterbacks in the early going, namely junior Jamar Casey (5-8, 165) and sophomore Dyshaun Brooks (6-0, 175).
Casey was a receiver last year who caught 31 passes, but Hampton has turned him into a quarterback.
“We’re going to be more of a run-oriented offense this year,” Hampton said. “Casey can run with the ball.”
The Lions have a host of running backs to choose from. Senior Jawon Lesuer (5-9, 175) is the top returnee. Senior Jai’El Bethea (5-10, 175), the hero of a fire last spring on Cator Avenue in Jersey City, where he went back into a burning complex to save several lives, including his family, is another returning player.
Juniors Felix Igiri (5-10, 205) and Cory Lee (5-7, 170) are also in the mix.
“All four of them are going to get the chance to run with the rock,” Hampton said.
The receiving corps is also deep and talented, not to mention experienced.
Seniors Jeremiah Jamison (6-5, 195), Jaquinn Wimbley (6-0, 170), Desmond Stevens (5-7, 160) and Yasaan Jackson (5-11, 175) are all capable pass catchers. Stevens was clocked at 4.37 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the Penn State camp.
The offensive line has a ton of size and talent.
Seniors Jakih Diaz (6-4, 330) and Charles Bailey (6-0, 240) are at tackle along with sophomore Elijah Williams (6-1, 225).
Senior Colin Gordon-Green (6-3, 310) and junior Christian Bautista (6-0, 195) are the guards with junior Cottrell Hatchett (6-2, 240) at center.
Defensively, the Lions will use Bautista at defensive end, where he stood out last year as a sophomore, along with Hatchett. Bautista will be one of the best defensive linemen in the county this fall.
Igiri and senior Errol Allen (5-11, 250) are the defensive tackles.
The outside linebackers are Jackson and junior Chris Pena (5-7, 155), with seniors Jordan Davis (6-1, 170) and Kevin Winston (6-1, 205) at the inside linebacker slots.
Lesuer returns to his starting cornerback slot, where he’s paired with Wimbley. Stevens is the starting safety. He was a starter at cornerback last season.
The Lions open the 2017 season at Irvington, then return home to play Mountain Lakes the following week. They will face off with St. Peter’s Prep later in the season in a game that will easily be the Lions’ toughest challenge.
But Hampton believes his team will be ready for it.
“I expect us to be in the hunt once again this year,” Hampton said. “We’re in the position now where we should be in the playoffs every year.”
Only this year, the Lions will have a little less star power and a lot more determination.
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com. You can also read Jim’s blog at www.jimhaguesports.blogspot.com.
