By T. Scott Boatright
It’s a move that’s been years in the making.
And Lincoln Preparatory School senior Zion Hicks is hopeful it pays off not only for him, but for the entire Panthers football as a whole.
After three seasons of playing tight end/receiver and safety, Hicks has made a move on the offensive side of the football.
It’s a new season with a new head coach for Panthers in Chaunce Davison, who had served as Lincoln Prep’s defensive coordinator in recent years.
But with a new season and new coach, Lincoln Prep will feature a new-look offense, too — one designed by offensive coordinator Vyron Brown, who returned to the Panthers football program this fall after a long stint as offensive coordinator and then head coach at Lane College.
And Hicks will be Brown’s new quarterback behind center for the Panthers.
Davison said that move has been long in coming.
“We’ve been talking about using him at quarterback for years,” Davison said about Hicks. “But in the past, he’s been a little reluctant. I think the thought of it all was just a little overwhelming for him.
“But the young man is growing up, and he’s growing into a leader. He’s doing a good job with that part of things. He has the size we’d love to have at quarterback. He’s got the arm and the athleticism. It just seemed that as we started thinking about finding a new quarterback, his time has come. And he’s been working hard to make it happen.”
Hicks said he gets increasingly comfortable with the move practice by practice.
“It hasn’t really been hard at all,” Hicks said of the conversion from tight end to quarterback. “They’ve had me back there for years in the offensive backfield thinking about using me there. So, it’s been thought about for years.
“I really don’t care where I play offense — tight end or quarterback. I just want to help my team. And it looks like this is where they need me — how they can best use me. And I’m happy about that. I like playing quarterback and I’m really looking forward to the (upcoming) season.”
Hicks has also been a force for years under the boards playing for the Panthers basketball team.
But that doesn’t mean Hicks likes hoops more.
“I actually like football more, because I like contact,” Hicks said. “I mean, there’s contact in basketball, but there’s a lot more in football. And I just like playing it more. That’s why I like playing defense, too. I like contact and it’s a lot more physical on the football field.”
Hicks said that playing basketball has helped his football playing, including being able to read what opposing teams are trying to do.
The leadership part of athletics has simply come with maturing.
“I’ve been watching the teams we’ve had before,” Hicks said. “And we’ve had leaders, but quiet leaders — a leader by action kind of thing. And I think it’s important to be a vocal leader, too. One that isn’t afraid to take charge.
“So, since my junior year I’ve been speaking up. And at this point, it’s become easy for me to be a leader. It comes naturally.”
That’s something the Lincoln Prep coaching staff has noticed.
“Zion is our leader and that’s important,” Davison said. “He’s doing a good job with that. And he’s coming along as a quarterback, too. He’s still got some things like making reads. Coach Brown has him really working on his reads so that when he throws, he’s throwing to a spot at the right time. A spot where the receiver is supposed to end up.
“He’s learning that and is looking more comfortable. He’s taking his time and doing what he needs to do.”
If Hicks is trying to model himself after another player, he said it’s probably Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
“That’s because I like watching him pull the ball and run and make plays,” Hicks said. “Sometimes I pull the ball when I’m not supposed to, and the coaches get on me for it. And I get that. But I still like to do it sometimes, because he’s my favorite quarterback, and I want to play like him.
“I want to make things happen.”
Hicks is confident the new offense Brown is installing will catch some of the Panthers’ opponents off guard this season.
“He’s opened up the offense, sometimes wide open,” Hicks said. “It’s just more creative than it was last year and I think that will show as we move into the season.”
Hicks expects to form a potent passing duo with one of his basketball teammates, senior Tre Spann, the top returning receiver for the Panthers.
“We’ve been playing together since our fifth-grade year, so our chemistry is really solid,” Hicks said. “So, I think Trey and I can do a lot this year.”
Hicks feels that way about the Panthers football team as a whole.
“If we can stay focused and keep our minds on getting better day by day — I think this team is a lot better than last year’s team,” Hicks said. “And I really do if we can stay focused and together — every player on this team — then I think we can make it to the championships this year. I really believe that.”
The Panthers’ road to postseason play begins tonight when they join Madison and General Trass at the Madison Parish High School Jamboree.
“I’m looking to get my teammates open and get the ball to them on passes,” Hick said of his hopes for the jamboree. “I just want to be able to help all of us to eat (succeed). I want to make that happen.
“That’s because I’m not a selfish player. I want this whole team to be great. And I want to help make that happen for every player on this team. And if I can do that, it should be a pretty good season.”
