Lincoln’s defense will be tested by something-to-prove Packers

Published 10:57 pm Thursday, September 28, 2023

MOULTRIE – Tallahassee’s Lincoln High is off to its best start since 2012, but it probably hasn’t faced a team with as much fire power as the Colquitt County Packers possess when the two schools face off on Friday on Tom White Field at Mack Tharpe Stadium.

And the Packers also are likely to be in a mood to prove that that last Friday’s mere eight-point victory over Class 3A’s Cedar Grove was a mirage.

The Trojans are 4-0 and are ranked No. 1 in the Tallahassee Democrat’s Big Bend power ranking.

Lincoln, which was 5-6 last season, has allowed just 21 points in its four games and has shut out its last two opponents, St. John Paul II (Tallahassee) 16-0 and, last week, Munroe of Quincy, 42-0.

The Trojans struggled when they came to Moultrie last year to play the Packers in a game moved to Wednesday by the threat of Hurricane Ian.

They scored a first-quarter touchdown, but were blanked the rest of the way in a 30-7 defeat.

And the Packers are likely to be cantankerous on Friday.

Not only will it be Homecoming, it will be the first chance for the Packers defense to show that it is better than the 42 points, including 21 in the final 8:50, it gave up in the win over an impressive bunch of Saints last week.

The Packers rank No. 2 in Class 7A in points scored per game, averaging 44.2 (Walton is first, scoring 57.8 per game).

But Packers have given up 21.6 points a contest.

Both head coach Sean Calhoun and defensive coordinator Jeremy Rowell said the Packers need to tackle better.

The game against the Trojans will give them their first chance to see what the last week of practice will produce.

Amari Wilson will lead the Packers defensive front after totaling six tackles, including two for loss, 1.5 sacks and four quarterback hurries against Cedar Grove.

Also expected to mount the first line of defense will be Wilson’s fellow junior Jartavius Flounoy and seniors Ky-von Rivers and Johnny Clay.

Tyshon Reed Jr., who is tied with Wilson for the team lead in sacks with three, will be at one outside linebacker slot.

Jerron Blakely will man the other.

Inside linebacker Nick Pace is the team’s leading tackler with 45 solo and 13 assisted tackles.

Sophomore Brayden Ruis and Kenyon Solomon also will be playing inside.

Jah’Boris Fuller and Ka’marian Williams will start at the corner. Williams had two interceptions.

Trenton Dunbar and Will Madison, a pair of seniors, will start at safety.

Colquitt has plenty of offense to unleash.

Ny Carr, one of the nation’s top senior receivers, de-committed from Georgia last week, but is sure to cast his lot with another of the nation’s top programs.

His next touchdown reception will be his 34th and will tie him with Kiel Pollard in having the most in Packer history.

Carr also is just 426 yards away from the school’s all-time receiving yardage record.

Senior Neko Fann will start his 31st straight game at quarterback for the Packers. He already holds the school touchdown pass record with 75.

He is just 478 yards away from becoming the program’s all-time passing yardage leader.

Florida State-committed Landen Thomas is the Packers tight end. He has 100 career pass receptions. He scored one receiving and  two rushing touchdowns against Cedar Grove.

Zay Williams and Markese Wilson also give Fann two other game-breaking options at wide receiver.

Juniors Day’Shawn Brown and Ramsey Dennis have been sharing the ball-carrying duties.

The offensive line is led by senior left tackle Turk Daniels, who will be starting his 41st straight game for the Packers. He graded at 96 percent last week, best among the Colquitt OLs.

Xavier Nickerson will start at the the other tackle; Casey Scott and Ja’Nas Daniels will be the guards; and Jay’Den Williams will be the center.

Brett Fitzgerald, who is 25-for-26 in extra point attempts and 7-for-7 in field goal attempts, will kick out of the holds of Eli Meads and the snaps from Chason Glenn.

Sam Miller will be the punter. Fuller will handle kickoff and punt return duties.

Pace and Carr also will be deployed to return kickoffs.

Colquitt County is the only Region 1-7A team to be in action on Friday.