August 14, 2012
2012 Team Preview: |
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Despite a 7-3 record QB Isiah Roberts and Lincoln were shut out of the state playoffs. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
| Lincoln Football Practice Photo Gallery |
By Jason Bernstein Editorial Director |
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JERSEY CITY – After one of the most successful runs in the school's history, Lincoln was in the unfamiliar position of playing in the consolation round. Despite a 7-3 record (5-3 at the cutoff), the Lions were on the outside looking in of the state playoff picture for the first time since 2007 after falling one power point short of qualifying for the North 2, Group 2 tournament.
It's a feeling the players haven't forgotten.
"They felt like they had all the opportunities to make the playoffs and they let it slip out of their hands," head coach Robert Hampton said. "I think that there's an anger and there's a sense of feeling like they have to get it done. I think last year some of the guys took for granted that we'll be in the playoffs, which is a good thing because the seniors never had a losing season. Now its a want to attitude instead of a feeling of self-entitlement."
Determined to not let history repeat itself, the Jersey City squad returns one of the county's top quarterback-receiver duos and has gotten stronger on both lines.
Offensive Overview:
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Lincoln senior Steven Jones was a HCV All-County wide receiver in 2011. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
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Quarterback Isiah Roberts might not look intimidating at 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, but the senior emerged as one of the area's top dual-threat options after passing for 16 touchdowns and rushing for six more.
"He runs our offense like a really good point guard," Hampton said. "And you can't say enough about a kid like that."
A deep collection of skill players make Roberts and the offense all the more dangerous, led by senior WR Steven Jones.
"Steven Jones may go down as one of the best pure receivers we've ever had here at Lincoln," Hampton said. "He's a tremendous asset, he's a tremendous athlete, a very good downfield blocker, a very unselfish kid and an outstanding punt returner. He's very hard to cover in one-on-one situations."
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound three-year starter caught seven touchdown and headlines a short, but quick receiving group which includes running back/receiver hybrid Tyrik Darby, sophomores Darius Wade and Gerald Payne and freshmen Frank Darby and Jay Harris. Bradley Mosioma and Terry Linyard will also be in the mix. Junior Caleb Hebron starts at tight end.
A pair of sophomores - Eli Terry and Tyquan Simmons will lead a running back by committee approach with Quasier Hopkins and Tyrik Darby.
Senior right tackle Jeremia Peguero is a four-year starter has been a mainstay on the Lincoln online. On the left side will be a former St. Anthony mainstay in senior Sharmin Nalls (6'2", 250). Center Daisjon Robinson (6'2", 270) and left guard Marquise Jackson (5'10", 265) are returning starters with 6-foot-4, 300-pound Emilio Otero taking over at right guard. Jakeem Graham, Terrence Barfield and Javon Sanders add depth across the line.
Defensive Overview:
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Junior cornerback Tyrik Darby is part of a deep Lincoln secondary. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
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Peguero shifts back to linebacker and playing along the defensive line last year. The senior will start on the inside with Orlando Romero and Simeon Jackson at the other spot. Eric Pridgen and Trevor Mayo are expected to start on the outside and with Jon Santana and Allen Khadaka also in the mix.
Hopkins, a senior, is a returning starter at strong safety and is capable of playing deep or in the box. Greg Eady returns at the other safety spot with sophomore Will Albright, Harris and D'Andre Wright all likely to see time. Tyrik and Frank Darby are the early favorites to start at corner with Jones, Wade and Roberts all in the mix.
The true strength appears to lie on the defensive line as Robinson is a returning starter at defensive tackle. He is joined by Graham inside and two new additions on the outside in Nalls and Hebron, a St. Peter's Prep transfer.
"That's a game-changer for us," said Hampton of Nalls and Hebron. "We normally we get the skill guys. We rarely get the linemen with this type of skill sets. We were going to be okay on the line, but now we're solid."
Star Spotlight: Jeremia Peguero, OT/LB
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Senior Jeremia Peguero is a four-year starter on Lincoln's offensive line. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
| Lincoln Football Practice Photo Gallery |
Rarely do you see stats assigned to an offensive lineman. For Lincoln's Jeremia Peugero, his junior season can be defined simply by a zero -- the amount of sacks he allowed at offensive tackle.
"Izzy (Isiah) Roberts our quarterback, that's my boy," Peguero said. "I'm not going to let anyone get a free shot on my quarterback. Nobody. You've got to go through me and I'm like a wall."
"Jeremia is what every high school coach in America would want. He's a leader, a gentleman, committed to the team, a solid student and a good character kid who happens to be your best player."
Peguero has been an anchor on the offensive line, starting at eight left or right tackle all four years of his varsity career. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound lineman moves back to the right side after playing left tackle last season.
Offense isn't the only place where Peguero is moving. This fall he will line up at inside linebacker, a position he started the 2011 season at, only to move back to defensive end.
2012 Lincoln Overview |
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| HCIAL American, Nonrth 2, Group II |
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