By Chris Parker
Last season was a rebuilding year for Lincoln football. The Cardinals were coming off an 11-win season but had no seniors on the roster. They won two games.
The good news for Lincoln is that all 22 starters return this season.
“We learned to overcome adversity,” Lincoln head coach Brad Drehle said. “We fought through a slew of injuries and continued to work and compete.”
Junior Riley Sanders led the team at quarterback with 1,123 yards passing and 17 touchdowns through the air despite missing two games.
Dawson Parrott was his top target with 33 receptions for 520 yards and seven touchdowns. He will also see some time running the ball out of the backfield.
Brayden Benham, Chase Young and Elijah Smith will all see time at receiver. Young led that group with 246 yards receiving. Behnham had 162 yards receiving. Camden Everhart will play receiver, tight end and some running back. He carried the ball 77 times for 370 yards while hauling in 19 passes for 217 yards last season.
The offensive line will feature Myles Harms, Ashton Maasen, Ethan Goosen, Isaac Komm, Matthew Cook and Ben Eckhoff.
Harms, Goosen, Komm, Cook and Eckhoff along with Ashton Maasen will comprise the defensive line.
The second level of the defense will feature Everhart, Eckhoff, Smith and Ashton Wolfe at linebacker.
Young, Parrott, Sanders, Benham and Smith will be in the secondary.
“Experience and added strength should help us this season,” Drehle said. “Success for us will be our commitment to the common goal and working together to make it happen.”
Lincoln will host Adrian, Butler, Sherwood and Cass-Midway for a jamboree on Aug. 23. The Cardinals open the season on Aug. 30 at home against Willow Springs.
