Football

August 20, 2010

Now is the time for Lincoln

Edwin Celestin, Lincoln

Linebacker Edwin Celestin is one of 26 seniors on Lincoln.

Click Here for more photos from Lincoln's football practice.

By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director

JERSEY CITY –With eight-straight wins to start last season, Lincoln had visions of a long state tournament run. But what started as a dream season, ended in nightmare fashion as the Lions dropped their last two games, including a 41-18 defeat to Orange in the opening round of the North 2, Group II tournament. That loss, the second-straight first round defeat for Lincoln, has helped serve as a motivation tool all offseason.

“This is our opportunity for us to right a wrong within our locker room,” head coach Robert Hampton said. “When they left that field against Orange they knew they let something get away. This is an opportunity to correct a wrong. We don’t want to show up every year and just get knocked out in the first round.”

Making the state playoffs for a third-straight season isn’t enough for a team which has adopted a motto of “we didn’t come this far just to get this far,” for the upcoming season. With a staggering 26 seniors on the roster, the time is now for them to reach their goal of a state championship for the first time since 1981.

Offensive Overview:

Ronald Butler, Lincoln

Senior Ronald Butler takes over as the primary starting quarterback.

At their best, few offenses in the county were as dangerous as the Lincoln attack which averaged 40 points per game in their eight wins a season ago. Eight starters return on the offensive side of the ball, highlighted by the senior trio of Ronald Butler, DeShawn Goodwin and Tyron Stevens.

A multi-dimensional threat at wide receiver, Butler moves over to quarterback for his senior season. The shift of Butler, an HCV All-County selection to under center, will give the Lions a slightly different look on offense in 2010.

“What we have now is more of a true spread quarterback,” Hampton said. “Ronald’s a better runner.”

With Butler spending most of the time at QB (he will also see some snaps at WR), Goodwin takes over as the primary receiver in a group with features Anthony Jackson, Deshawn Jackson and Kashawn Fuller.

Stevens, who ran for 14 touchdowns a year ago, is an inside runner with the speed to score whenever the ball is in his hands. He will be running behind an offensive line which returns four starters including tackles Jeremiah Paquerro and Shavell Daniels, center Paris Williams and guard Dwayne Larkin.

Defensive Overview:

Jeremiah Paquerro, Lincoln

Jeremiah Paquerro is one of nine new starters on the defensive side of the ball.

Hampton and the Lions have revamped the defense as there will be nine new starters on this side of the ball, though most have seen spot action a season ago.

“We’re replacing a lot of kids on defense,” Hampton said. “But everybody has played (in blowouts), so all these guys have varsity experience.”

One established veteran on the defensive side is senior middle linebacker Edwin Celestin. Paquerro (6’1” 240 pounds), give Lincoln some size inside with Steven Jones and Harun Bethea on the outside.

Butler had seven interceptions a season ago at cornerback and anchors a deep secondary. Goodwin and Teddy Spann will also see a lot of action on the corners, while Stevens, Fuller and Alex Wooten are the safeties.

Star Spotlight: Tyron Stevens, RB/S

Tyron Stevens, Lincoln

A late-season toe injury didn't stop Tyron Stevens from scoring 14 touchdowns.

Head coach Robert Hampton likes to describe Tyron Stevens as an “angry runner” on the football field. That ability to transfer the anger into a positive on the gridiron has put Stevens in striking distance of some of Lincoln’s all-time records.

“When you use your anger in a positive way, it makes you a better football player if you know how to channel it,” Stevens said. “If you don’t, it will make you play worse. It works out in a good way for me.”

Stevens channeled that anger into 14 touchdowns in just eight games last year. A HCV All-County selection at RB, the 5-10, 200 pound Stevens could become just the second player in Lincoln history to record 3,000 yards in his career.

West Virginia and James Madison are among the schools that have shown an interest in Stevens, who spent his offseason dedicated toward improving his breakaway speed. Stevens says he has seen the summer of running with weights attached to a sled pay off, but is at his best when he uses his speed (and anger) between the tackles.

“I feel like I can do both,” Stevens said. “But if I can pick the play, I’ll run inside every time.”