By Bill Nestor
The Lincoln football team is ready to make history once again in 2024. A year ago, Head Coach Rob Hawkinbs and his team went to the playoffs for a program best third consecutive year.
This season the Cougars have reloaded and are looking for number four.
Helping Lincoln’s chances is returning junior signal caller A. J. Bart. Bart is one of the best quarterbacks in the Mountain State and he will look to guide a talented offensive unit back to the promised land. A year ago, Bart threw for over 2,700 yards and 28 touchdowns. His play improved as the season went on, according to Hawkins, who said “By the end of the year, he really started to mature. Hopefully that growth has continued.”
Hawkins is counting on Bart to provide leadership this upcoming season.
Another returner expected to lead the youngsters (there are 10 freshmen on this year’s roster) is senior Aiden Rice. Rice was Bart’s go to guy a year ago with 42 receptions for 593 yards, including four scores. Rice is a multidimensional athlete, showing the ability to contribute in the backfield as well. He rushed for four touchdowns in 2023.
Up front, the line is anchored by senior center Gabe Kellar. The remainder of the line will be comprised of a combination of players; seniors Christian Skidmore, Zach Cottrill, and newcomer Sebastian Kernan, along with sophomores Brycen Moore, Levi Greaver, and Hunter Dragoo make up the line.
The running game will showcase a trio of backs, including sophomore Conner Rice, junior Trenton Hardesty, and sophomore Colton Edwards.
The targets for Bart on the outside are senior Landon Swiger and sophomores Jacob Bart and Brody Barnes. Junior CadeRiley is the tight end and kicker. Riley or senior Wyatt Finch will handle punting duties.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Cougars will utilize the four three primarily. Lincoln is blessed with a wealth of talent at the linebacker position. “I love our linebackers. They need to carry us defensively,” explains Hawkins, who went on to say “we have five good ones and we are trying to find ways to get all of them on the field by using them at other positions.” The backers are Aiden Rice, Conner Rice, and Hardesty.
Up front, the defensive tackles are Skidmore, Cottrill, and Greaver. The defensive ends are Moore, Finch, abd junior Caleb Corley. The cornerbacks are Barens and Jacob Bart with Edwards and Riley at safety and Swiger in the mix as well.
Hawkins has done an excellent job of growing the football program at his alma mater and the culture continues to move in the right direction. He said “Playoff appearances used to be few and far between . . . being able to tack some together has raised the expectations inside the program.”
Lincoln opens up the regular season on the road this week with a quality opponent in Nitro. Another road trip to Elkins follows in week two before the first clash in Shinnston when Grafton comes to town on Sept 13.