For the first time in three years, Lincoln doesn’t have a sizeable senior class. Fortunately for head coach Shawn O’Connor and Co., there is a sizeable junior class, which has the experience and maturity of seniors.
Fresh off a memorable 13-0 season and the school’s first city title since 1990 at Yankee Stadium, Lincoln will be pinning its hopes on those juniors, 11 of whom saw time on the varsity as sophomores.
“It’s different, but we found out in camp it’s not that different because the juniors have stepped up their leadership and they’re not typical juniors,” O’Connor said. “We’re hoping that being part of a team that made the championship game two years in a row will help them grow.”
Of the 11, wide receiver Jamiek Davis is arguably the most talented junior, a 6-foot-3 playmaker already being recruited by Syracuse, Rutgers, North Carolina and Connecticut. As a sophomore, Davis hauled in 18 catches for 258 yards and two touchdowns.
“We’re thinking he’s going to have a breakout season,” O’Connor said. “He’s gonna be a big receiver for us.”
Another junior, quarterback Javon Moore, will be trying to get him the ball. Jessel Jones’ backup last year, Moore saw plenty of mop-up duty. O’Connor said he is capable of stretching the field and using his feet as a weapon.
“As the year goes on, we think he’ll be a very good quarterback,” O’Connor said.
Running back Kareem Folkes, The Post’s All-City Player of the Year who is now at C.W. Post, will be replaced by junior holdover Antoine Holloman Jr. and Nazareth transfers Leroy Hancle and Aaron Henderson. Hancle is a bruising type while the others rely on speed and getting to the edge.
Returning starters Job Buissereth and Greg Puzo lead an inexperienced offensive line, a Lincoln strength the last two years. The two will also see plenty of time up front on defense, the Railsplitters more experienced unit, and will be joined by defensive end Darnell Phillips, who is hearing from Fordham and Delaware. Senior middle linebacker Malik Darling, an All-City selection as a junior by the league’s coaches, returns after notching 68 tackles and seven sacks last year as does hard-hitting free safety Miguel Acevedo.
Acevedo is Lincoln’s unquestioned leader, O’Connor said, a three-year starter who will also be used on offense in the role of graduated slot receiver Denzel Duchenne.
“He’s our leader out there, he puts everybody in the right spots,” the coach said.
Lincoln was in a similar spot at this time last year, having graduated most of its starters. The Railsplitters shocked the city, the previous year’s backups emerging as stars.
There are two distinct differences as the season nears this time around, however: The Railsplitters aren’t loaded with nearly as many seniors and the schedule is formidable, starting with a semifinal rematch against Bronx powerhouse DeWitt Clinton followed by perennial Staten Island title contenders Tottenville and Curtis.
It adds up to last year’s champions being regardedas an unknown.
“It’s a mystery to us as well,” O’Connor said. “Last year, going into the season, we lost 26 guys. We didn’t know what to expect and the guys decided to make a great name for themselves and obviously left a legacy at Lincoln as champions. We’re hoping that’s going to be the same thing again with this group this year.”