By T. Scott Boatright
A standout four years in the making has played a big role in Lincoln Preparatory School getting off to a 2-0 football season start for the first time since officially becoming a charter school and the only Grambling-based school at the start of the 2016-17 academic year.
In 2018, Ta’Rell Simmons was a raw freshman who decided to try out for the Panthers football team and even became the team’s starting punter that season.
Since then he’s also become an established defensive back and receiver before being called into action behind center this season by Panthers head coach Glen Hall and his staff.
“He’s a good punter, a good receiver, a good defensive back and a good quarterback,” Hall said about his starting offensive signal caller. “The thing is, when I first got the young man four years ago he knew nothing about football.
“But he hung in there, he grew and he developed. Now he’s turned into something special that looks like he’s creating the opportunity for himself to possibly play on the next level.”
Simons credits Hall with his gridiron growth since his freshman season.
“It’s all been Coach Hall,” Simmons said. “When I came here I didn’t know anything about the game of football. He’s taught me everything I know. I just stayed dedicated and have let the rest of it work out for itself.
“My football IQ went from 0 as a freshman to 100 today. I know a lot about the game that I didn’t know back then. And I’m still learning every day.”
Simmons has helped things work out pretty well for the Panthers so far this season.
In a 44-6 season-opening win at Beekman Charter, Simmons threw for more than 400 yards and four touchdowns while adding 120 yards and another score with his legs.
Last week Simmons returned a punt for a touchdown while throwing a TD pass and rushing for another score in a 36-0 win at Ringgold.
Hall realizes what Simmons has meant to the Panthers to start this season.
“Just to bring him from the wide receiver position, which he’s always played, to quarterback — he caught on real fast,” Hall said. He’s showing some serious team leadership, that that’s something we need — got to have.”
Simmons said the transition from wideout to quarterback hasn’t been a problem.
“It hasn’t been tough because Coach Hall has worked hard to prepare me,” Simmons said. “It’s actually been pretty easy because of Coach Hall.”
Simmons said the transition from wideout to quarterback hasn’t been a problem.
“It hasn’t been tough because Coach Hall has worked hard to prepare me,” Simons said. “It’s actually been pretty easy because of Coach Hall.
“I really like playing receiver better. I’m just more comfortable at it and feel like it’s my best position. But I’ll do whatever it takes to help my team. That’s the most important thing.”
Simmons is hoping to continue his football career on the college level, preferably back at the receiver position.
“I don’t want to be a college punter,” Simmons said. “I can and will punt, but I don’t really like doing it all that much. I like playing receiver. I’d love to play for Grambling. That would be a dream.”
And he might want to continue in Hall’s footsteps.
“I think I really might like to get into coaching,” Simons said. “I can’t say enough about what Coach Hall has done for me and taught, and I think I’d like being able to have that effect on players. I could be happy doing that.”
But right now Simmons says his only athletic focus is on the remainder of the Panthers’ season.
“We’ve never started a season like this since Lincoln Prep started,” Simmons said. “It’s about the whole team working hard and working together to try and become the best team we can be. We’re not going to let up. I can see us surprising some people who aren’t paying attention. I want to go to the ’Dome. I want to win a championship.”
Photo: Darrell James (dgjames.photoshelter.com)
