LINCOLN vs RICKARDS - PREVIEW

LINCOLN TROJANS

vs

RICKARDS RAIDERS

The Rickards Raiders come into this game trying to find their identity. Legendary coach Rudy Hubbard has this team heading in the right direction after a rough start. After having a tough time in their first two games offensively, Rickards found a way to get into the end zone against a very tough Florida High team. Special teams was a spark for the Raiders last week, however that is an area that the Lincoln Trojans take pride in. The Raiders are massive up front, and athletic in the skill positions which typically is a formula for success, and this team is not far off from reaching some success soon. Rickards keys to the game: dominate the line of scrimmage, minimize mental errors & penalties, put points on the board.

For the Lincoln Trojans things are a little different. Lincoln comes in looking very good after the scare against Florida High. A re-focused Lincoln team won in a 62-7 lopsided victory against Chiles last week. The Trojans can get off to a good start against Rickards if the team doesn't look ahead to next week, or look back at their previous performance. This years teams has talent and speed everywhere. Lincoln keys to the game: remain focused, balanced offensive attack, defenseively don't give up the big play.

TROJAN LIGHT SHINES ON **JOSHUA GILMORE**

Joshua Gilmore is a 5'11" 220 pound Full Back, Linebacker, Defensive Lineman and sometimes he's even been called an Offensive Lineman. He works tirelessly at whatever he does and that makes him one of my favorite Trojan unsung heroes. Gillie never complains, never looks for glory, never showboats. He simply comes to "work", lays down the law, and goes home. In  the game against Pensacola, earlier this season, Gilmore had 3 sacks and several tackles for loss. At the end of the night, when you try to think back at his performance is when you realize, WOW! Gilmore was everywhere tonight. I compare it to watching a great basketball player. At the end of the game you look up to find out that he scored 39 points and it didn't seem like it. Gilmore is a Wrestler on the Lincoln team and also participates on the Weight Lifting and Track and Field team. The stat that I love to hear a kid quote the most is his G.P.A., especially when they use the term "Un-weighted" and Gilmore's sits at a 3.2. He recently took the ACT so that score will be updated soon.

LINCOLN WINS BIG

Lincoln faces off against Chiles

Lincoln came in to this game needing to get back on track after a loss two weeks ago, and a come from behind victory last week. The Trojans did it in a big way. Led again by their Senior crew of Ronald Butler, who threw for 4 touchdowns; D.J. Abnar, who ran for another 3 TDs; and Raphael Andrades, who caught 2 of those Butler TDs, Lincoln routed Chiles on their way to a 55-0 half. Yes, half. The Trojans were hitting on all cylinders. The defense was ferocious, the offense had everything working. Even when passes were incomplete the play had worked, it was just that the QB & WR did not connect. Abnar ran hard. The Offensive Line did their job. The "D" wouldn't give Chiles a chance. Unofficially for the game, Butler finished 14 for 19, 184 yards and 4 touchdowns; Abnar 11 carries for 88 yards and 3 TDs, Andrades 5 catches, 48 yards & 2 TDs. Myles Gaines had his first score of the season (10 yd TD), James McRoy would also score on a reception. Reggie Davis added a rushing TD all in the first half. The Trojans would go on to win 62-7. The big bright spot for Chiles... Tres Penny. Tres Penny threw darts all night long, despite a couple of interceptions late in the game Penny was on target all night. Receivers some how just could not hang on to make the catch. Lincoln faces Rickards next week, while Chiles travels to Ocala to face Lake Weir.

LINCOLN vs CHILES - PREVIEW

                                                         LINCOLN TROJANS

                                                                         vs

                                                     CHILES TIMBERWOLVES


The Chiles Timberwolves come in to this season trying to rebound from a tough 2010. At Quarterback they are starting Senior Tres Penny, who I thought should of gotten more playing time last season. First year head coach Mike Lassiter has had his worked cut out for him from the second that he accepted the position. Chiles lost a few players to graduation and others to transfers, but Lassiter has worked his player hard, and they have bought into his system. Chiles opened the season with 23-0 victory over Rickards High School. They come into this game 1-2, but they have not gone down without giving it their all.

The Lincoln Trojans come in to this game trying make adjustments. Last season, it was the adjustments made for the Chiles game that propelled the Trojans on to win the Class 4A State Championship. Lincoln has come out a bit slow in each of it's first three ball games. I would like to see the Trojans run "No Huddle" for the first and maybe the second series of the game to get the offense started early. The excitment of an early score will also generate energy and momentum for the "D". Lincoln also needs to rely on a balanced attack, and in some cases go to air a little more and take advantage of one of their team strengths... the passing game. This is a District game, so it is very important for both teams to come out strong.

A TALE OF TWO HALVES (LINCOLN vs FL HIGH) - RECAP

Ronald Butler and Raphael Andrades hooked up regularly to pull
out a victory against Florida High Friday night at Lincoln Trojan Field.



Lincoln came into this game with every reason to play well. They had just lost their National Ranking after losing last week. They were playing for the first time in their brand new green Nike uniforms. They had just lost a Lincoln icon (Jimmy Everett), who was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) in 2009, and had just passed away the night before. And they were playing on their own home High School field for the first time since 2002 which is surrounded by the Jimmy Everett Track. With motivation coming at them from every possible direction, the team still managed to come out flat. Passionless. Unfocused. Florida High on the other hand came in undefeated (2-0) and came to play as though they wanted to stay that way. After the ball exchanged hands a couple of times Florida High forced the first turnover of the game when Leitaras Stokes forced a fumble that was recovered by the Seminoles. With great field position FL High would punch it in to take an early 7-0 lead. A couple of exchanges later Florida High would punt the ball away to Lincoln, as the ball was being returned there was another fumble by Lincoln. The ball bounced perfectly in to hands of Austin Logan who returned the fumble for the second score of the game and a 14-0 lead. To say that the Lincoln crowd was stunned would be a terrible understatement. Lincoln finally answered the bell when Ronald Butler hooked up with Raphael Andrades on a short 5 yard pass. Andrades made one move, and raced the rest of the way for a 66 yard score to make it 14-7 with a little over a minute left in the half. The Seminoles would not go away easy. After a good return put them in great field position, FL High would connect on a strike from about 30 yards out to go into the lockerroom up 21-7.

The second half would prove to be more of what most people, except for Florida High, expected. Interestingly enough, according to the players the lockerroom at halftime was not full of yelling and screaming by Head Coach Yusuf Shakir. They said that he hardly said anything at all. The Senior leaders like Ronald Butler and Eric Childs spoke to the team, and they came out with a renewed sense of purpose. Lincoln then took the opening two drives down field for scores set up by the passing game tying up the score 21-21. The Seminoles would struggle on offense going 3 and out on several occassions in the second half, while Lincoln would convert on crucial third and sometimes fourth downs to keep drives alive. Lincoln even committed a Cardinal sin... on fourth down they lined up and made a field goal, however, a running into the kicker penalty would shorten the distance on the fourth down. The Trojans took points off of the board to go for it on fourth down, they converted and later punched it in. Later in the fourth, Lincoln running back DJ Abnar would almost seal the deal with his second score of the night, but the extra point was blocked leaving the door open for the Seminoles. Finally, trying to stay alive on 4th and 1 the Seminoles handed the ball off to their running back, but Eric Childs would get penetration and stop him dead in his tracks for a two yard loss to close the door on the Seminoles. Lincoln won the second half 20-0 and was led by Abnar finished who with 18 carries for 143 yards and 2 TDs, Butler 17-of-25 for 278 and 1 TD, Andrades 7 catches 194 yards and 1 TD, while FL High got 73 yards on 20 carries from Ke'Sean Lewis.

JIMMY EVERETT CALLED UP TO THE BIG LEAGUES - R.I.P.

                                                JIMMY EVERETT (1954-2011)



Legendary Coach Jimmy Everett (left) sees the Trojan Football team off to State last season.

 



THE PRIDE OF TROJAN NATION!

For all who knew him, and for all who didn't, Jimmy Everett was one heck of a human being. I remember when we first met, it was a very simple introduction, we were able to exchange pleasantries and that was about it due to the nature of the environment. However, the second time that I had a chance to speak to Coach Everett, we spoke as if we had known each other for 20 years. He had that type of personality. He wasn't down on himself because of his fight with ALS commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, he was up beat about waking up one more day. All smiles... always. Encouraging, loving but most of all optimistic. He knew he was on the short list, yet he was able to openly and positively talk about how is life was changing. If you were ever privy to this type of conversation you would of thought that he was talking about someone else because it sure didn't sound like a complaint. It was more of a time for him to share how grateful he was to be able to get around, able to see, able to breathe fresh air. Everett played football at Godby and FSU before coaching at Leon, and finally making Lincoln his home for well over 20 years. He is survived by his mother, Virginia; wife, Sondra; son, Tyler; sisters Geni and Nancy; and brothers Randy and John. This Tallahassee Warrior will be always loved and missed.
                              

                             

SENIOR POSTER NIGHT

The first 100 Lincoln fans wearing anything that says Lincoln, or is Green or Gold will receive a FREE Senior Poster.

LINCOLN vs FLORIDA HIGH - PREVIEW

LINCOLN TROJANS

vs

FLORIDA HIGH SEMINOLES

If the Tallahassee Lincoln Trojans are to bounce back from a tough loss last week in Valdosta, they are going to have to do it against a feisty Florida High Seminoles team. Florida High is coming off a 30-6 win over Chiles in which Senior RB/DB Ke'Sean Lewis scored 4 TDs (2 rushing, punt return & a pick 6). Although the roster is small, this Seminole team has a lot of heart. Lincoln will need to improve offensively in the running game and show that their receiving corps is as good as advertised. Defensively, the Trojans have proven that they are very solid on this side of the ball.

For Florida High, they will have stay out of 3 and out situations if they are to have any success against a very aggressive Lincoln Trojan defense. One man will not beat this Lincoln team as was the case in the Chiles game, it's going to take a team effort.

TROJAN LIGHT SHINES ON **TREVIN HUFF**

The Silent Giant, Trevin Huff is a 6'4" 255 pound Offensive Lineman from Tallahassee Lincoln. Most don't know if he has a deep voice, normal voice, or high pitched voice because Huff very rarely says anything at all. Players often tell stories about each other from practice or games quoting something funny or witty. My favorite Huff quote is the only one I've ever heard, "Man this is too easy!" as he ran off of the field last season during the Fall Jamboree. He had worked so hard during the summer, fall, and two-a-days to earn a starting spot on last year's Class 4A State Championship Team that when he faced some local competition other than his team mates, the hard work had paid off. Huff had been able to be a dominant force on the offensive line that night and help lead the Trojans to victories in both halves. Now, as he embarks on his Senior season, he hopes that the work ethic takes him to the next level. Colleges that have offered him the opportunity continue his career in football while obtaining an free education include: Florida Atlantic University, Southern Mississippi, and Bethune-Cookman University. Schools like Ole Miss, Ball State, and North Carolina State continue to stay in contact. Some of the more intellectual schools and Ivy Leagues should also be knocking on his door, as this young man has a 3.5 G.P.A. and scored a 1310 on the main components of the SAT. Trevin Huff is also a starter on the Lincoln High school basketball team.

Valdosta Lincoln Recap

The game was billed as a big battle between two storied programs until the referees came in and stole the show. "Pass Interference" was the name of this movie. Reggie Davis streaking down the side line with tons of contact by the defender? Offensive Pass Intereference against Lincoln. A pass that may have been caught but as Taj Williams begins his leap he gets pushed out of bounds and away from making a play while the ball is in the air? No Pass Interference. A pass thrown into the end zone while their receiver is at the 12 yard line and as the Lincoln defender watches the ball sail out of reach he bumps the receiver in the back? You guessed it, Pass Interference! One other thing that was glaringly wrong was the ball spotting by one particular official on punts kicked out of bounds. The first occurence the head official had to make a 9 yard correction on this guy's call, but he can't watch everything. Later in the game a punt by Valdosta from deep in their territory bounces at the 42 yard line. The ball takes a backwards bounce towards the 46 yard line. That official marks the ball dead at the Lincoln 35 yard line. I'm not saying that Lincoln should of had the ball at the 46, but anywhere between 42 and 46 is clearly acceptable based on any judgment, but the 35?  I do not want to sound bitter about the officiating, but to put it mildly I would have to call it ATROCIOUS!

Now on to the game itself. This game was a defensive battle. Valdosta DE Michael Wakefield looked like a very underrated player. The kid is a beast. He must of had 5 sacks.... in the first half alone! Lincoln would also shut down Valdosta most of the first half. Big hits by James Hearns, and tackles in the trenches made by Eric Childs showed off the Line Backing corps. The Trojan front four were not taking it easy on the Wildcats either. Sacks, tackles for loss, no gain, one yard gain was definately on their menu for the evening. It was well into the first quarter (3:27 left), when Lincoln gave Valdosta a fraction of a second too long to complete a pass to a receiver about 15 yards down field who would then break a tackle pick up some blocks and set up the first score of the game. In the second half, the battle continued and Valdosta (penalty-aided) added a field goal to make it 10-0. With time running down, Lincoln would put up it's only points of the night when Ronald Butler hit Myron Mebane and he dove hitting the pylon for the score. The final onside kick was recovered by Valdosta who needed to run off the final :23 seconds to seal the victory. Valdosta is a solid team and deserves it's share of the credit. Lincoln made a few mistakes and just maybe a Home and Home series is better suited for this type of rivalry.

TROJAN LIGHT SHINES ON **CONNOR SABOLIC**

Connor Sabolic is 6’5” 225 pound Athlete. This title is usually reserved for a player that plays Quarterback, but is better suited for DB or WR at the next level, but I am calling Sabolic an Athlete. He plays Offensive Tackle, Tight End, Defensive End & I bet if Lincoln needs a lead blocker from the Full Back position, he will line up there too. Sabolic could excel on the diamond as a left-handed pitcher, which he used to be and is a very hot commodity in baseball, he could excel on the hard wood, where at 6’5” his game was beginning to develop, but there is only one game that he enjoys and is passionate about… Football.  He has nice frame that can carry more weight and muscle and that is the one thing that the colleges love about Sabolic. He currently holds offers from Louisville, Southern Miss, Jacksonville State, Georgia State, and Northern Illinois. Other schools showing interest in him are Princeton and N.C. State, but he would love it if his Dad’s alma mater, Michigan State University offered. Connor has been re-adjusting to the Tackle position after playing Tight End all Spring and Summer, and says, “the biggest thing that we need to do as a team is improve week to week, like we did last year”, a year that culminated with the Class 4A State Championship.

In the class room Sabolic says he has plenty work to do. He wants to get his G.P.A. higher, he currently holds a 3.4. His SAT score has him qualified for the next level at 1250. On and off the field this young man brings the right attitude and that is something else that his future coaches will love.

LINCOLN TRAVELS TO VALDOSTA - PREVIEW

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE VIDEO BROADCAST OF THE GAME

LINCOLN TROJANS

            

              

             VS

VALDOSTA WILDCATS

It's Florida vs Georgia in the battle of two of the top programs in the country. Tallahassee Lincoln the 2010 Class 4A State Champion (FL) goes up against the Valdosta (GA) Wildcats the winningest program in High School Football history.

VALDOSTA - This team comes in with a record of 2-0 after defeating Brooks County by a score of 20-11 and Hardaway 37-7. It is no secret that the Wildcats can move the ball and score. This team comes in ranked #26 in the state (MaxPreps), but don't let that suck you in, the team is better than its ranking. The Wildcats are a football team that is coached by Rance Gillespie so they will be disciplined, ready and up to the task. Defensive End Mike Wakefield #96 is a top area player. At 6'3" 225 he brings quickness off the edge, surprising strength, pop, and aggressiveness. Willie Barrett is a 6'3" 290 OL that plays big down in the trenches. The quick strike offensive attack is lead by Junior QB Alex Stephenson, and the ground game has been shared by Senior Charlie Albritton, and Sophomores Malcolm Joseph and Nelson Herring. Against Hardaway, Valdosta led 37-0 at the half and let their second team play the remainder of the game.

LINCOLN - The Trojans come in 1-0 after a hard fought win at Pensacola High. If the Trojans are to win, they must stop the quick strike offense of the Wildcats. Offensively, Lincoln needs to establish the running game period! At Pensacola the Trojans rushed 32 times for 63 yards... that's less than 2 yards per carry. The O-line needs to more efficient for Ronald Butler and DJ Abnar to be effective.

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One of the Top Receiving Corps in the State!



From left to right Coach Jacquez Green, Reggie Davis, Taj Williams, and Raphael Andrades

 



   Many articles have been written on the 2011 Tallahassee Lincoln football team. However, time and again you see the top players divided into one of two groups, the Senior leaders (Ron Butler, Raphael Andrades, and DJ Abnar) or the future stars of the class of 2013 (James Hearns, Taj Williams, and Reggie Davis). Rarely, if ever do you see a discussion of their receiving corp together as one group. Raphael Andrades is the Senior leader of the bunch. He is a well rounded receiver that is solid in all areas and led the team in every receiving statistical category last season. Reggie Davis is the Speedster of the bunch. He returned four kickoffs for touchdowns last season, and has teams trying to kick the ball away from him. Taj Williams is the tallest of the bunch. His combination of height and athleticism allows him to make catches that most receivers just can't make. According to Elite Scouting Services, Williams could be the number #1 receiver coming out of the state of Florida next year. Together they form what is one of the best receiving corps in the State of Florida.  However, just like those infomercials... Wait! There is more! Myron Mebane and Myles Gaines could be starters on just about any other team in Leon County. Gaines, as a sophomore last season, was a starter at Chiles High School and their leading receiver before moving over to Lincoln. Mebane has the best hands of ANY of the aforementioned receivers. The Mastermind of the group is none other than former University of Florida All-American & Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft pick Jacquez Green who doubles as the team's Offensive Coordinator and receivers coach.

Raphael Andrades 6'1' 190 is a well built receiver who has a college body already. Strong very solid hands that will impress you with a simple hand shake. He always catches the ball with his hands not his body. Runs good routes and knows where he needs to be on the field to be open. Has no problem getting off of the line of scrimmage, and gets behind the defenses with incredible ease. Had 40 catches for 700+ yards and 12 touchdowns as a Junior, while sporting a 3.67 GPA. Currently holds offers from Illinois, Stanford, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Florida International. Ranked by Rivals as the #99 receiver in the country with a 3 Star rating.

Taj Williams 6'4" 175 is a tall very athletic receiver who who can go up and get to any pass thrown. Adjusts very well to the ball when it is in the air. Very aggressive in getting to the ball, which helps him when he plays safety. Williams possesses solid hands and very good speed which allowed him to perform very well during 7 on 7 camps this summer. Taj currently holds offers from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisville, Mississippi State, Mississippi, Florida State, South Florida. Look for him to have a solid Junior campaign and a big Senior year.

Reggie Davis 6'0" 170 can flat out fly. Davis is a threat to return any kickoff or punt for a score. The battle of field position is lost when you allow Davis to field a kick. As a receiver he has really good hands, and is a deep weapon due to his speed. He runs good routes and had a key catch in the 2010 Class 4A Championship game to set up a score. He currently holds offers from Notre Dame, Florida, and Georgia. Look for Davis to have a big year as a receiver this season as teams will shy away from him in the return game.

Myles Gaines 5'11" 170 "Myles Gaines is a WR with excellent leaping ability, timing, and anticipation. Myles is an expert route runner with great hands, he knows how to get open, and is as reliable as they come." Tom Lemming 08/11
He was the leading receiver for Chiles High School a year ago as a sophomore with 41 catches, 500 yards, and 4TDs. Gaines has attended numerous camps around the country earning top MVP awards in several such as FBU, Top Gun 200, University of Oregon WR MVP, All-World Challenge WR MVP, Natl Underclassmen Combine WR MVP in Jacksonville, and again in Orlando. Gaines is receiving attention from Oregon, Princeton, Auburn, Duke, and Syracuse.

                                                                                                             

Myron Mebane 5'7" 150 is a very crafty receiver who knows how to play the game. Runs excellent routes, catches the ball with his hands and makes every catch look effortless. If you had a dollar for every one of his drops you would be broke. Do not let the package fool you, Mebane is a tough receiver who isn't afraid of contact or the middle.

Lincoln Handles the Pressure




Andrades goes up for a pass that resulted in a
touchdown that was called back due to a holding
penalty. Andrades would score on the very next play.

 The Lincoln Trojans rode into Escambia County to face the Number #2 ranked team in Class 6A. The Pensacola Tigers were riding a 19 game regular season winning streak. The Trojans came is as defending State Champions and ranked as high as number #15 in the nation yet ranked number #6 in 7A. The stage was set, the pressure was on, but which team would prevail? The first quarter started as a defensive battle... lots of big hits, sacks, tackles for loss, even a few fumbles and Special Teams wasn't pretty either. As the "D" set the tone, it was Lincoln to strike blood first, when Eric Childs scampered in from 5 yards out to make the score 6-0 after the conversion failed. On the next drive Lincoln struck pay dirt again when Ronald Butler hit Raphael Andrades on a pass near the sideline and he raced the rest of the way for a 42 yd score... But wait! Flag on the field, a holding penalty against Lincoln would negate the score. On the very next play Andrades & Butler would hook up again for a 52 yd touchdown making it 13-0 Lincoln. Pensacola responded with key plays by Jalen Spencer. First a 38 yard run for a first down, and then on a 17 yard TD pass to Brock Jones. The teams went in to the locker room with the game still close 13-7.

In the second half it was all defense until late in the fourth when Lincoln was able to connect on some short passes and some short runs to set up the PSBlive play of the game, a 14 yard spectacular play from Butler to Andrades for the final score of the game.

Leaders: Passing - Butler 9-16-0-117 2 TD, Rushing - Abnar 24-78, Receiving - Andrades 4-80 2TD

Click Here to Watch the Entire Game

Lincoln Faces Tough Task - PHS



TALLAHASEE LINCOLN TROJANS

                                                                    vs

PENSACOLA HIGH TIGERS

Winning a State Football Championship in the state of Florida is a very tough task. Repeating as State Champion is even more difficult. If Lincoln is to repeat, everything starts with game one tonight against a very tough Pensacola High School football team. While North Florida is often overlooked when it comes to recruiting evaluations, Pensacola has to be the step-child of recruiting services in Florida. Great athletes come from the Panhandle area of Florida, and PHS is loaded with them. On film this team looks very fast. Jalen Spencer & Jimmy Threat lead the attack for the Tigers.
Additionally, Pensacola High School is ranked number #1 in the area over teams like Pine Forest & Navarre. One thing most people do not know about PHS is that they are ranked number #2 in the state of Florida's Class 6A (AP) behind only powerhouse Seffner Armwood (last year's 4A State runner-up) and ahead of South Florida perrenial powers Miami Central #3 and Miami Northwestern #6.

This game begins at 7PM CST and will be streamed online live on psblive.com