By T. Scott Boatright
The Lincoln Panthers roared out of the gates to start the 2026 season as they went on the road and brought home a 52-12 win over Delhi.
Junior quarterback Jabari Levingston led Lincoln Prep’s offense, totaling 258 combined yards rushing and passing and accounting for five scores — two through the air and three on the ground.
Lincoln Prep’s first score came thanks to Levingston’s legs on a short plunge to paydirt.
“That was what we call Miami,” Panthers coach Chaunce Davison said. “It was really just a quarterback sneak that Jabari took in for six. Credit our offensive line, they did a solid job out there tonight. They opened up holes and our offensive players took advantage.”
Taking an 8-0 lead into the second quarter, Lincoln Prep built a 22-6 lead by halftime.
The Panthers put the game away in the third quarter, adding 22 more points to make it 44-6 heading into the final stanza.
“We just kind of wore Delhi down,” Davison said. “We used ball control to do that. And our defense played great, too.”
Levingston completed four of his six passes for 112 yards and two scores, with Karmelo Goins hauling in a pair of receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown while Josiah Spann added two catches for 51 yards and a score.
“Josiah really took it to (Delhi) on that touchdown he scored,” Davison said. “He played a great game and is really becoming the senior leader we need. Karmelo played great, too. They both had good nights.”
Levingston added 146 yards and three scores on only nine carries, averaging 16.2 yards per tote in the process.
“Jabari is Jabari — our Superman,” Davison said. “He’s important on both sides of the ball and in all phases of the game. He was big for us tonight.”
Leading Lincoln Prep’s rushing attack was junior running back Jakaylon Armstrong, who plays much bigger than his 5-foot-4, 160-pound frame.
Armstrong led the Panthers with 160 yards on 23 carries, scoring two touchdowns on the ground.
“He may not be big but he plays that way,” Davison said of Armstrong. “He’s low to the ground but is strong and knows how to cut and juke. He reminds me of Barry Sanders. That’s why he wears No. 20.”
Defensively, the Panthers were led by Aiden Ferguson with 11 tackles, including a sack and another stop behind the line of scrimmage.
Sheldon Holmes, Randell Payne and Kayse Owens chipped in with eight tackles each. Holmes made three stops behind the line of scrimmage, including a sack, Payne added an interception and Owens recorded two tackles for loss, including a sack, while also picking off a pass.
Highlighting his all-around performance, Levingston added seven tackles, including one for loss, and one pass breakup.
“This was the kind of game we needed to start the season,” Davison said. “It’s a win we can build on. But we can’t let up. Now we have to get ready for Block next week.”
Lincoln Prep will play host to Block at 7 p.m. Thursday at Panthers Field.
