By T. Scott Boatright
GRAMBLING — The Lincoln Prep Panthers get one final preseason look at their team as they participate tonight in the Delhi Jamboree.
And they expect a challenging test in front of them. The Panthers are coming off a 2-7 campaign last year and will take on Delta Charter, which went 8-2 in 2023.
Lincoln Prep coach Glen Hall preaches defense, and his Panthers expected to be tested on that side of the ball by the Storm as Delta Charter averaged 41.6 points per game last season.
Hall is looking for a stronger offense for his team this season after having key playmakers flash at times in 2023 and during last week’s scrimmage against Book T. Washington.
Senior D’Tavion Wright will be the workhorse for the Panthers’ offense this season.
“Wright runs the ball the way I like to see it run,” Hall said. “He runs with power but also has speed to go along with that. He’s a good receiver, too, but it’s that power I really like.”
Adding to Wright’s “Boom” for the Panthers’ running back corps is the “Zoom” of senior speedster Jaylin Huntley.
“The thing is, we have a really good mix of talent and ability at that position,” Hall said. “If Huntley can stay focused, he can be a big part of our offense, too. And I think he’s ready.
“So, if I can get them to combine for 150-200 yards per game, we’re in good shape.”
Having Tyler Wimberly in the mix at fullback will only make the Panthers a stronger rushing team.
“But it’s not only Wright and Huntley,” Hall said. “Wimberly is a hard-nosed runner who powers straight forward and fights his way through the defense. And we have some other guys who can help at that position. I feel good about that group.”
Jordan Brown returns for a second season as the Panthers’ starter at quarterback and Hall is only focused on hopes to see one thing from his senior — game management.
“He’s got a year up under his belt and we really need him to become more consistent and become more of a leader,” Hall said about Brown. “He’s still the type of guy who sometimes wants to play back there in the back of the crowd trying too hard to make something big happen and ends up being sacked. He’s got to protect the football, not get sacked and do a good job of game management and let the rest happen around him.”
Hall is looking for one other improved skill from his quarterback.
“As a starting quarterback, you’ve got to be more of a leader. He’s got to understand that while he might not be a quarterback that’s going to blow everybody away, if he plays within this system, he could be very successful. And part of that is him stepping up into the kind of leadership role we need from him.”
Hall expects to use the Wildcat offensive set frequently this season with Wright playing the quarterback role.
“We’re not a deep ball team,” Hall said. “We’re going to run the ball and throw some play-action passes. Think about it, Wright, Huntley and Wimberly all back there together. We’re going to take advantage of having those three guys on offense.”
If Hall feels good about his offense, he feels even better about his defense.
“We have a pair of good linebackers in D’Tavion Wright and Tyler Wimberly,” Hall said. “Verlanski Glosson is returning at strong safety. Jaylin Huntley is returning at safety. Trey Spann and Cenario Wilson return in our backfield, so we have some guys who can run and make plays on defense.
“That’s our strong point on that side of the ball — being able to run and make plays. We also have my big guy, (lineman) Ryan Randolph that we’re going to get a chance to get some blows, and even a little rest will help him because we had to use him a lot last year. A lot.”
But the Panthers will start the season shorthanded on that side of the ball. Senior defensive lineman Jamarion Brown broke a hand in practice this week while senior defensive back Xavier Harris damaged his collarbone on Wednesday.
“It was just a freak accident during a basic tackling drill,” Hall said of Harris’ injury. He went too low with his shoulder and hurt his clavicle. We’ll hear from the doctors (today), so I don’t know how long he’ll be out. But he is also one of our better receivers, so he gives us depth on both sides of the ball.”
Hall said he feels good about his team heading into tonight’s jamboree.
“Today went well. Yesterday went well. I’m almost scared after last season,” Hall joked Thursday evening. “But the kids seemed focused and ready, so they have me excited.”
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