LINCOLN'S CHANCE TO REPEAT - DERAILED

Seniors QB Ronald Butler, RB DJ Abnar, WR Raphael Andrades
end their H.S. football careers for the Lincoln Trojan football team.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times for the Lincoln Trojans Friday night. The best of times: Lincoln had just finished the season with a 9-1 after defeating cross-town rival Godby. Lincoln had an opportunity to move ahead in the 2011 playoffs by beating Fleming Island at home. Lincoln was one of the favorites to face a team from the southern region for a chance at a State Championship. But then came the worst of times. The Trojans were hurting a little. Out for this game was Junior LB James Hearns with a knee injury, out was Senior lineman & long snapper Wes Hawkins who suffered a broken leg in practice earlier in the week. And in came the Fleming Island Golden Eagles who didn't travel to Tallahassee to go home empty handed, which was noticeable from the opening drive. With about 6 minutes left in the first quarter the Eagle scored on a 22 yard touchdown run by Frantz Caudio. Fleming Island followed that up with a field goal early in the second. After another TD and FG (extra point was blocked) the Golden Eagles flew into halftime with a 19-0 leaving the Trojan crowd in dis-belief. On the second play of the third quarter Lincoln would find life when Ronald Butler would scamper 82 yards for a Trojan TD making the score 19-7. The defense stepped up and made a stopped, but on the ensuing possession Fleming Island's Jason Kindle picked off a Lincoln pass and took it 48 yards for a score. The Eagles would add 2 FGs and the Lincoln Trojans appeared to be losing all hopes of a chance at a repeat trip to Orlando with the score now 32-7. But on a 38 yard pass from Butler to Junior WR Reggie Davis, Lincoln cut the deficit to 32-14, however the Eagles responded with a 50 yard run by Caudio. With 2:09 left in the game Lincoln would battle and score on a 12 yard TD pass to Davis. Lincoln recovered the onside kick, and this time Butler found Senior WR Raphael Andrades for a 23 yard TD giving the Trojans new hope. With the score 39-27 (after a failed 2-point conversion), Lincoln would add a safety to the score. But it was too little, too late as the quest for a repeat came to a halt in this 2011 season. Fleming Island moves on to play First Coast in a rematch of a tough loss earlier in the season. Lincoln plagued by 7 turnovers ends it's season, but not without a BIG CONGRATULATIONS from the Lincoln Football Guy.

LINCOLN vs FLEMING ISLAND - PLAYOFFS ROUND 1 PREVIEW

TALLAHASSEE LINCOLN TROJANS

                                                                   vs

FLEMING ISLAND GOLDEN EAGLES

The Fleming Island Golden Eagles are travelling to Tallahassee to face the Lincoln Trojans making this the longest distance that they've travelled so far this year. This is a trip that they will gladly make because it means that they've made it to the playoffs. However, now we get to the part of the season that is tough on most people (players, coaches, parents, teachers, faculty, staff, alumni & fans)... it is a win or go home situation. This means that at the end of this night, your season could be is over. Neither of these teams is ready to face that reality, but one of them must.

Fleming Island rolls into this game on a four game winning streak. They had a very close game against First Coast, and would love nothing more than to have the opportunity to face them again in the second round of these playoffs. In the air the Golden Eagles have a first year starter in Senior QB Dante Roberts who is a transfer from Palatka, and is the cousin of the primary receiver #8 Brontell Roberts. On the ground, the duties are split between #46 Kent Minor and #19 Frantz Caudio. One of the most dangerous players on the field is #5 DB/KR/PR Craig Brodsky. This kid has really good speed, has great vision, and great anticipation in the secondary. He is a natural playmaker that the Trojans must look out for. Brodsky is committed to Elon College, but has recently received an offer from Air Force. For Fleming Island to win this game, they must play solid defense against Lincoln's high powered, quick strike offense. The Golden Eagles cannot turn the ball over on offense, and they must control the time of possession and keep Lincoln's defense on the field.

Wesley Hawkins to miss the
playoff with a broken leg.

The Tallahassee Lincoln Trojans are coming into this game after a big win against a cross-town rival. The Trojans are led by Senior QB Ronald Butler (23 TDs/2 ints), Senior RB DJ Abnar (1300 yds/22 TDs), Senior WR Raphael Andrades (750 yds/12 TDs), and Junior WR/KR/PR Reggie Davis one of the most dangerous returners in the state if not the nation. Lincoln is trying to repeat as State Champions in arguably the toughest class in the State of Florida this year Class 7A. But Lincoln will be without Senior lineman and long snapper Wesley Hawkins who broke his leg (Tibia & Fibula) on Tuesday and had surgery on Wednesday. In order for the Trojans to win this ball game, they must win the special teams battle as this is the best special teams match up that they have seen all year. They must continue to light it up on offense, and they must do a better job of tackling the runner than they did in their last game. The winner of this game moves on to face the winner of the Ocala Forest vs Jacksonville First Coast match up.

LINCOLN TROJANS - CITY CHAMPIONS

It was cold last night in Tallahassee. Colder than Chicago. Colder than New York. Colder than Fargo, North Dakota? Yes, colder than Fargo, North Dakota according to the weatherman's report last night. But that didn't stop the crowd from piling in at the North Florida Fair, or at the annual rivalry game between Lincoln and Godby. This one was for bragging rights. This one was for the City Championship. Lincoln came out firing after several runs by DJ Abnar, Lincoln set up a TD run with a 36 yard pass from Ronald Butler to Raphael Andrades to make it 1st an goal at the 4 yard line. Abnar would take care of business from there to make it 7-0 Lincoln. Godby would later answer with a score of their own (a 1 yard plunge by Khalid Thomas) tying the game 7-7, but before you could blink Reggie Davis took the ensuing kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown to make the score 14-7. Thomas would later add a 71 yard score to tie it up, but Lincoln quickly moved the ball and scored on Abnar's 2nd TD of the night shortly before the half.

Senior WR Raphael Andrades

After the halftime adjustments, the battle continued. Neither team would cave in. Godby tied the score early in the third quarter on a 70 yard pass from Dennis Andrews to Freshman WR Jalin Heyward. However, Lincoln would battle back to take the lead once again when Butler connected with Davis on a 51 yard pass play for a TD. Lincoln would later add a TD by Butler on a QB sneak to rule again as City Champions of Tallahassee. A 3 point loss kept Lincoln (9-1) from having a perfect regular season, but staying perfect in the playoffs is far more important. Lincoln hosts Fleming Island (Jacksonville), while Godby travels to West Florida Tech (Pensacola) for the first round of the playoffs next Friday at 7:30 pm.

LINCOLN TROJANS vs GODBY COUGARS - PREVIEW

TALLAHASSEE LINCOLN TROJANS

                                                                         vs

TALLAHASSEE GODBY COUGARS

When the season began, the outlook for both of these teams was very positive for 2011. Godby had an array of heavily recruited and highly touted athletes. Lincoln was coming off a stunning victory over nationally ranked Armwood (#6 in the nation at the time), for the Class 4A State Championship. Although neither of those factors guaranteed a successful season, here we are at the end of the regular season. Both teams enter the game with 8-1 records, and the unofficial "City Championship" is on the line. There is one small detail that may affect the way this game plays out. Both teams have secured their place in the playoffs. Both teams are seeking to win a State Championship in their respective class. Both teams would hate to lose a key component in the battle (this game), and be short handed in the war (the playoffs). So where do you draw the line? Both teams want to win. Both teams need to stay fresh for next week when the playoffs begin. But when do you say when? That is the dilemma that Godby's Ronnie Cottrell, and Lincoln's Yusuf Shakir will have to come to grips with.

Godby comes in with a who's who list on their roster. Senior LB Kadeem "Pancho" Thomas (Kentucky) is the leader of the "D" (with all due respect to TJ Davis). Pancho is the focal point. All roads lead to Pancho. He's a very underrated player at linebacker whom I would want to have on my team if I was starting one and making selections. Senior DB TJ Davis (Auburn) simply knows how to play cornerback. He knows when to press, when to back off, what angles to take, and very rarely misses a tackle. Senior TE Laith Harlow (Oklahoma) has blossomed into an exceptional tight end. He has great size and very solid hands. Teams often underestimate his ability to find the hole and catch the ball. Senior QB Dennis Andrews (Georgia Tech) will amaze you with his change of direction and his ability to make people miss in small spaces. Senior LB Jakarri Thomas (Arkansas) is a run stopper. Thomas often plays on defensive the line, but he can play where ever he wants to (or is needed). He is a tough physical player that any team would love to have in the trenches. Senior WR Brandon Holifield (Miami) is used to playing basketball and being on the track and field team, but decided to give football a shot. On the basketball court, Hollifield can “jump out the gym”. He gets tons of practice on the Godby track and field team where he nearly high jumps 7 feet. Hollifield is a big athletic receiver who still adjusting to this game. Senior OL Percy Griffin is a big solid offensive lineman. Griffin moves his feet very well and has a strong upper body. The only reason that he might not be as heavily recruited as his teammates is height. Not shabby at 6’2” and 315, but the major programs are looking more for guys 6’5” and up. A move to nose guard might be ideal for this kid. A program with vision might benefit from his talents. His offers include: Jacksonville State, Prairie View A&M and others.

The Lincoln Trojans come into this game on a roll. After a loss, and then a close call against Florida High, Lincoln has been steam rolling opponents. The Trojans have a solid nucleus of returners from the Class 4A State Championship from last year. Those players include: Senior WR Raphael Andrades who on film may appear like he is not running very hard or fast, yet he runs past or pulls away defenders with relative ease. Andrades has great hands, runs solid routes and is a very polished receiver with the knack for finding the open spot in the field. He has 34 catches for 700 yards and 12 TDs on the season, and should break several Lincoln receiving records before his Senior season is done. His offers include: Stanford, Illinois, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Kentucky & others. Senior RB DJ Abnar is as tough as they come. Despite sitting out the second half of one the games, DJ ran for nearly 650 yards and 11 touchdowns in his last three games. Abnar is a solid runner with tons of speed. The biggest part of DJ's game that can’t be measured is his heart. His offers include: Illinois, Southern Miss, Iowa State & others. Senior QB Ronald Butler is one of the top QBs in the Big Bend, and probably the state. Butler should be getting national consideration based on his solid performances this season. Ronald has completed nearly 65% of his passes and has 22 TDs against only 2 ints. His ability to read defenses, and make decisions under pressure are vastly improved. His offers include: Jacksonville State, Southern Miss, Georgia State & others. Senior TE Connor Sabolic is a versatile player for the Trojans. Conner has given up catching the ball from his tight end position this season to help out on the offensive line. His offers include: Louisville, Northern Illinois, Southern Miss, Jacksonville State and others. Junior WR Reggie Davis is a solid receiver, but is electrifying as a returner. Davis has the ability to turn a small pass into a huge play. Once the ball is in his hands, his acceleration through the defense is a thing of beauty. His offers include: Alabama, Florida, Miami, Notre Dame, Oregon and others. Junior WR/DB Taj Williams is a tall and athletic receiver and defensive back who spends most of his time on playing “D” because of the number of talented receivers on the roster, a testament to the type of unselfish player that he is. Williams will be one of the top receivers in the state next season. His offers include: Florida, Florida State, Alabama, Georgia and others. Sophomore DB Kendall Randolph is a young (2014), but very talented DB, Kendall made the switch from playing QB which may help him understand his new position. He has good size, good speed, and a great nose for the ball.

LINCOLN DISTRICT CHAMPIONS ONCE AGAIN





Derrington Abnar receives the Rivalry MVP Award for his game versus Ocala Forest

 

Myles Gaines makes a spectacular
grab against a Forest defender

Every now and then, there is a weekend in the season that is considered "Upset Weekend". This weekend had that feel. An undefeated team lost to a two-loss team on Thursday night, some top teams lost to the underdogs or came very close to losing around the state. So when on the first possession of the game, Ocala Forest drove the football down field on four plays and scored on the Lincoln Trojans, I understood the sentiments of the Homecoming crowd on hand on this slightly chilled night. I didn't take long at all for Ocala to move the ball on the Trojan "D". A keeper by Sophomore QB Jake Roddenberry, followed by another run, a long toss down the sideline, and then a quick run up the middle by Roddenberry gave Forest a 7-0 lead. The Trojans would quickly respond with a drive of their own, capped off by a 29 yard touchdown pass from Ronald Butler to Raphael Andrades. In the 2nd quarter Derrington Abnar would rip off a 79 yard TD run, and  the Trojans would add a pair of field goals to pull ahead 20-7 by half. In the second half, Lincoln would come out with renewed focus. Lincoln would put up 21 unanswered points, including a spectacular touchdown grab by Myles Gaines. Ocala was held to little or no gains until the latter part of the third when Forest would score on Lincoln's second team defense. Ocala added another score in the fourth to make the final 41-21. Abnar rushed for 159 yards on 13 carries and 2 TDs, Butler was 18 for 28, 281 yards and 2 TDs, while Andrades had 4 receptions, 94 yards, and a TD. With his performance Abnar earned game MVP honors. Mark Herndon had 143 yards and a TD for Ocala.