Prepzone Pigskin Preview 2017

LINCOLN HIGHLINKS
By: TJ Eck
For the first time since 2004, Lincoln
High is looking to make back-to-back
appearances in the state playoffs. The
Links advanced to the postseason in
2016 after an 11-year drought, and a
number of starters are back for a squad
that could be a Class A sleeper in 2017.
“I really like our competitive nature,”
head coach Mark Macke said. “I like
how our kids show up and work.”
The Links didn’t have trouble scoring
last season, as Lincoln High averaged
34.7 points per game in 2016. With eight
starters back on offense, the scoreboard
operator could again be busy this year.
Junior quarterback Cedric Case is
expected to lead the charge, after
throwing for 1,980 yards and 21
touchdowns last season. Junior Frazie
Wynn (54 rushes, 294 yards, 3 TD) and
senior Dauntavis Lawrence (21 rushes,
314 yards, 3 TD) are expected to share
time at the running back position. Case
has two experienced pass-catchers at
the wide receiver position in senior
Zion Perry (32 rec, 498 yards, 7 TD) and
junior CJ Jones (30 rec, 480 yards, 4 TD).
Junior Morgan Perry (19 rec, 181 yards,
1 TD), who battled through injuries as
a sophomore, could see significant time
at wide receiver, as well. Junior John
Goodwin (8 rec, 69 yards, 2 TD) returns
after starting last season at tight end.
The Links should have an experienced
group up front with four returning
starters on the offensive line. Seniors
Malachi Norval (5’10” 235 lbs) and
Mason Sullivan (5’10” 265 lbs) are
joined by juniors Draven Long (6’0”
245 lbs) and ZZ Zollicoffer (5’10” 325).
Junior Garrett Hoagland (5’10 250 lbs),
who was a starter for the Links in 2016
until suffering an injury in week two, is
expected to be back in the fold.
Lincoln High will need to replace
three-year starting linebacker Anthony
Magor, who earned all-state honors
last season. But the Links also have
experienced players coming back at
the position. Senior Jack Buchanan led
the team in tackles with 73 and added
nine tackles for loss and three sacks last
year. He will team up with fellow senior
Rashad Rucks (26 total tackles, 4 TFL)
and junior Ethan Bruha (70 tackles, 5
TFL) to form a strong unit.
Opposing offenses might have a hard
time throwing on Lincoln High in 2017,
as the Links have three starters back in
the secondary. Juniors Darius Luff (34
total tackles, 2 INTs) and Isaiah Alford
(46 total tackles, 3 TFL, 1 INT) will be
joined by senior Isaac Thomas (13 total
tackles, 1 INT).
There are holes to fill up front, however,
where Norval (18 total tackles, 6 TFL,
2 sacks) is the only returning starter.
Hoagland is expected to start on the
defensive line in 2017 as he returns from
injury.
After an 0-3 start in 2016, the Links
surprised some people by rattling
2017 SCHEDULE
8/25 Omaha Northwest
9/1 Lincoln Pius X
9/8 @ Papillion-LaVista South
9/15 Omaha Bryan
9/22 @ North Platte
9/29 Omaha Central
10/6 @ Fremont
10/13 @ Lincoln Southwest
10/20 Millard West
off five straight wins on their way to
a Class A playoff berth. A return to
the postseason in 2017 isn’t out of the
question, but Macke says health and
depth will be two major factors for the
Links.
“Our kids work hard and are very
competitive,” Macke said. “Hopefully
that will carry over to a successful
season.”
However, with an offense that can score
points in bunches and a defense that
brings back seven starters, Lincoln High
could be a team to watch this fall.
Key Players:
Cedric Case (6’1” 180 lbs) Jr. QB
Zion Perry (5’8” 170 lbs) Sr. WR
Jack Buchanan (6’1” 205 lbs) Sr. LB
TEAM FACTS
Team Name: Links
Class: A
2016 Record: 5-5
Playoff Appearances: 6
Head Coach: Mark Macke
Career Record: 17-38
402.975.2048 • 906 L STREET • LINCOLN, NE
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