WCEL Football Preview

WCEL Football Preview 2018

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concentrate on defense, but adds depth. Phelan caught 20 passes for 230 yards for an average gain of 11.6 yards with 2 touch- downs in 2017. Offensive Line Senior Kong Lee (5-6, 205) undersized last year at 170 pounds is now up to 205 pounds with a low center of gravity, show- ing potential for his senior season. Lee and Austin Raines (6-0, 235) started every game last year. "Those guys are doing a really good job because of the amount of experience they have," Harrison said. "We're really happy with what they're doing." Lincoln benefits from a move-in, Conner Brown from Indiana, a 6-foot-6 left tackle, weighing 310 pounds. Sopho- more Noah Moore (6-0, 185) takes over at center and progressing nicely. "Noah is a guy that knows every posi- tion on the offensive line, and he's doing a really good job with his snaps," Harrison said. "He hasn't been a center for very long, but he's figured it out pretty quick. We're really happy about it." Three sophomores — Jose Correa (5-9, 210), Audie Ramsey (6-0, 200), and Malik Bagby (6-1, 210) — are all trying to find time at the right tackle spot. Bryce Swin- ford (6-0, 290) is the backup center and can also play some guard, but the majority of his time, he'll be on the defensive line. DEFENSE Defensive Line Junior Nathan Khilling (6-0, 180) is at defensive end. "He moved here two years ago from Mansfield, and we really liked him in the ninth grade," Harrison said. "Last year, he was a sophomore so he was learning and this year we had him at outside linebacker and we just tried him at camp at defensive end and he did a really good job. So, right now, we like him at defensive end. Kong Lee, who starts on the offensive line, plays that spot, as well, and can spell him at times if he needs it." Two guys in the middle are sophomores — Kris Martinez (5-9, 275) and Swinford. Senior Matthew Gibson (5-11, 220) will spell those guys. At defensive end, junior Chance Blankenship (6-5, 225) shows promise. "Chance is a guy that hadn't played foot- ball for awhile," Harrison said. "We got him to come out last year. Again, learning every- thing, figured it out pretty quick, ended up being a holy terror on scout team defense. He's just worked really hard, he's got bigger. He's got taller." Sophomores led by Correa are eager to get into the lineup, and versatile Austin Raines might appear anywhere on Lincoln's defensive front. Linebackers Wright, who starts at tight end, is also Lincoln's starting middle linebacker. Drain slides around after starting half of the 2017 season on the defensive line before start- ing at linebacker due to injuries. Hunter Phelan (5-11, 165) is Lincoln's only all-conference player returning at outside linebacker. Phelan is flexible enough that he also can play a safety spot. "We're looking at moving him around just because it felt like we have three or four good linebackers," Harrison said. "So, he's seeing a little time at safety. We'll see how that goes." Arnold started every game last year as a sophomore. He returns as strongside line- backer. Junior Marcus Sturgill (6-0, 180) backs him up. Harrison said Sturgill is a guy who worked really hard in the weight room and beefed up this year, and is learn- ing that spot. Secondary Sophomore Eli Rich (6-1, 165), a ball-hawking cornerback in junior high, moves to free safety assuming a lead- ership role in the secondary. At Bandit, which Harrison describes as "kind of our strongside linebacker," are Cam Brown and Avellanda. "We're looking at moving Hunter Phelan around a little bit, too," Harrison said, indicating he may play there. At cornerback, sophomores Davis, and Caden Redfern (6-0, 170), battle for the starting position. Morphis is a starter at cornerback on one side. Dawson Calico (5-11, 185) backs him up. SPECIAL TEAMS Kicking Game "Kicking is Noe Avellanda, got a strong foot, played soccer his whole life, so we use him to kick," Harrison said, noting, "Caleb Lloyd can also kick." Lloyd is Lincoln's punter. Returners Speedy Cam Brown leads a group of capable return men. "We really like what he does," Harrison said. "Noe does a good job on returning as well. Daytin Davis is a good returner. Daytin Davis returned two punts (for touchdowns) in ninth grade last year. We feel strong in that spot." Farmer's Coop 113 E. Pridemore Lincoln, AR 479-824-3288 We Support All LINCOLN ATHLETES Wednesday, aug. 29, 2018 enterprise-Leader | 9 2018 Football Preview CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 LINCOLN: Linebacker Phelan Is Wolves' Only Returning All-Conference Player No. Player Year 1 Sterling Morphis 12 2 Cameron Brown 12 3 Dawson Calico 12 4 Caden Redfern 10 5 Levi Wright 10 6 Brandon Olinghouse 11 7 Christian Sellers 11 8 Marcus Sturgill 11 9 Matthew Sheridan 10 10 Tyler Brewer 10 11 Tanner Barnum 10 12 Eli Rich 10 13 Hunter Phelan 12 15 Caleb Lloyd 12 16 David Murray 10 21 Connor Schork 10 22 Blake Arnold 11 24 Noe Avellaneda 10 44 Bradley Drain 12 50 Audie Ramsey 10 54 Noah Moore 10 No. Player Year 55 Malik Bagsby 10 56 Kong Lee 12 57 Nathan Khilling 11 60 Kade Gibson 11 61 Chris Henderson 11 63 Bryce Swinford 10 66 Jose Correa 10 67 Mason Beeks 10 68 Jaime Garcia 10 70 Cody Webb 10 72 Austin Raines 11 73 Chance Blankenship 11 76 Matthew Gibson 12 77 Conner Brown 12 78 Kris Martinez 10 84 Blake Albright 10 88 Daytin Davis 10 — Jackson Wood 12 Head coach: Don Harrison Assistants: Beau Collins, Austin Lewis, Reed Mendoza, Perry Philpot, Erwin Starts LincoLn 2018 Varsity roster

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