By T. Scott Boatright
It would be a big game anyway, providing the Lincoln Preparatory School football team an opportunity to snap a three-game losing skid and open its District 1-1A season.
But it’s also homecoming for the Panthers as they prepare to play host to archrival Arcadia in a game set for a 7 p.m. start tonight.
The Hornets enter the game with a record of 0-5, with losses to Booker T. Washington-Shreveport, Winnfield, D’Arbonne Woods, Ringgold and Jonesboro-Hodge.
Lincoln Prep stands at 2-3. After opening the season at 2-0 with wins over Delhi and Block, the Panthers have lost three straight in games against Bastrop, Jonesboro-Hodge and BTW-Shreveport.
Panthers coach Chaunce Davison is ready to see his team even its overall record as it opens district play.
“Practice this week has gone pretty good,” Davison said. “We did two early morning practices just to avoid all the conflicts with homecoming. The kids reacted to it well and the parents were good about making sure their kids got to practice. So, we’ve had a good week.
“This game is very important. It’s a game that could make or break the season. We just want to go out and get this win and get the monkey off our back. Go ahead and get a win. We need a W so bad. I think the players are ready to play hard and try to get that win against Arcadia. I shouldn’t have to push them too much. It’s Arcadia, it’s your next-door neighbor. Your rival. So, the kids are ready to work.”
Despite their 0-5 record, Davison said it’s important for his Panthers not to overlook or underestimate the Hornets.
“I know they have a pretty fast running back,” Davison said. “He looks like a kid that could hurt you. If we don’t keep him under wraps, he will hurt us. We’re going to have to come up with some tackles and keep Arcadia on the other side of the ball.”
The Panthers will still be without No. 1 running back Jakaylon Armstrong, who continues nursing a high ankle sprain.
“He won’t go against Arcadia,” Davison said. “He’s not ready. I’m hoping we might get him back on the other side of the Haynesville game (on Oct. 23), maybe.”
Earlier this season, Aiden Ferguson was one of the Panthers’ top defensive backs. But over the past two games, he has moved in to replace Armstrong in Lincoln Prep’s rushing corps, even throwing a 35-yard touchdown pass at Jonesboro-Hodge.
“He’s learning to play that position,” Davison said. “He’s stepping up. Right now his role is on offense. He might have to sub a little on defense, but offense is going to be his thing right now.”
Last week, the Panthers also played freshman Jamel Wilson some at quarterback, moving starter Jabari Levingston out to wideout to try to get as many weapons on the field as possible.
“We want to get him going,” Davison said about Wilson. “He throws a pretty good ball. He can spin that ball. He just needs to get comfortable in that pocket — comfortable doing that quarterback stuff.
“Any time we can throw to Jabari, or hand it off to him, that’s a plus. It’s just one of those things where Jamel just needs to get comfortable and make some throws.”
