Lincoln's defense shuts down Godby's offense, Trojans' running backs go wild in 32-12 win
The Trojans picked up two rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns from quarterback Chris Beard in a 32-12 win in Week 1
Brian MillerHow well did things go for Lincoln’s football team Friday night against Godby?
In the final quarter, the Trojans were able to get their backups significant minutes, and then defensive coordinator Jimmie Tyson was showered with a Gatorade bath.
In what was supposed to be a back-and-forth tussle like previous years, Lincoln dominated from start to finish, scored the game's first five touchdowns, and won 32-12 at Gene Cox Stadium.
Trojans senior quarterback Chris Beard ran for two touchdowns and threw two touchdowns, two unknown running backs gashed the Cougars’ defense consistently, and Lincoln’s defense smothered a Godby offense that on paper is one of the best in the state.
It all added up to a tremendous Week 1 victory for the Trojans and an early-season statement.
“We made a statement that we will be someone to contend with,” Lincoln coach Quin Gray said, “but if we don’t continue to get better every day then it means nothing.”
Lincoln (1-0) travels to Rockledge next week to face four-star running back Ladarius Tennison, while Godby (0-1) – which went 10-0 during the regular season last year – welcomes perennial power Jacksonville Trinity Christian into Cox Stadium next Thursday.
“We’ve prepared for a season. We did not prepare for one game,” first-year Godby head coach Brandon McCray said. “We understand there may be some bumps in the road – we didn’t expect losses – but they’re prepared to keep fighting. They fight each day in practice and get after each other. We’ll continue to do that. I don’t think they’re in shock but more so disappointed with themselves. I know they’ll get it right. We just have to get it right as coaches.”
With senior receiver Marko Skarica out with an ankle injury, Lincoln altered its gameplan from an aerial attack that usually featured Skarica in the slot, Clemson-committed tight end Sage Ennis, and junior Dominic Larry on the outside.
Lincoln instead chose to run power all night, putting Ennis’ hand on the ground as a blocker and having him run wildcat quarterback to gain tough yards.
Beard used his speed to move the chains and scored on an 8-yard run in the first quarter before a short scoring run in the second quarter built the Trojans a 12-0 halftime lead.
“It’s the reason why Clemson wants him,” Gray said. “Sage's ability certainly showed tonight. But it was definitely a team effort. He did a hell of a job running the ball, catching the ball. Chris did a hell of a job running the ball, throwing the ball. It was a total team effort. I was excited about the camp we had and I’m excited about the team we’ve got.”
Having senior running back Jaylond Pendleton and junior transfer Dorian Collier emerge from the shadows to rush for over 150 total yards was a huge bonus for Lincoln and will keep the Trojans from becoming one dimensional the rest of the season.
In the third quarter, Pendleton busted a 26-yard touchdown run and Collier turned a screen pass into a 19-yard touchdown.
Beard then hit Ennis on a 30-yard touchdown to go up 32-0, and the unexpected rout was on.
“We just had to show the city who we was,” Pendleton said. “Everyone talks about the passing game, we had to show our run game. Marko was out, so we knew we had to carry the load.”
Said Collier: “People think of Lincoln, they think about the pass game and they think about Chris Beard, quarterback. They don’t think about the run game. But we’ve got something for them.”
Pendleton had just 15 carries last season, while Collier was in high school in Dothan, Alabama. Collier is the nephew of former FAMU DRS state champion head coach Ira Reynolds.
“They showed me exactly what we’ve seen in practice – their toughness and ability to get the tough yards, and not let the first person that makes contact bring them down,” Gray said. “Jaylond is a guy that has been waiting his turn. He’s been patient and his time is now. Fortunately, Dorian moved in from Alabama and he’s showing that Alabama style they play – hard-nosed, downhill football. When we watched some film on him, we knew we had a special kid. That 1-2 punch will be good.”
Meanwhile, Godby’s offense around senior quarterback Trey Fisher, senior running backs Jaquez Yant, Tyrique Paramore and Jackell Leland, and senior receivers Avery Boyd, Alvin Jones and Keuntae Stewart was stuck in the mud.
It didn’t look anything like the team that went 11-1 last year, nor the one that started slow but put up 40 points last week in a preseason win over Chiles.
“Tip your hat to Lincoln,” McCray said. “Tradition never dies, and they’re a good program. You can’t come out and play the way we did and not capitalize on momentum – we gave it right back.
“We’re a better team than what we showed early. We kept playing in spurts. We’ve got to pick it up. We’ve got to go back to the drawing board, do some little things better in practice, and we need to coach better so we’re sharper.”
Lincoln’s only true miscue of the night was muffing the opening kickoff, which gave Godby the ball in prime scoring position. Four downs later, the Cougars were walking off the field without points.
The rest of the night was a struggle in both the passing and running games, the Cougars experiencing several three-and-outs. Boyd finally got Godby on the board four minutes into the fourth quarter, catching a 35-yard touchdown from Fisher while converting a fourth-and-6.
Godby’s other score came with 4:54 left as defensive back Shawnomarie Barr ripped a ball away from a backup Lincoln receiver at the goal line and turned it into a 99-yard fumble return. Or the score would have been even worse.
“They did a better job than us on first down tonight,” McCray said. “They kept us in third-and-long situations. It’s easy to call the game on the other side when it’s obvious what a team needs to do.”
The Trojans’ defense was relentless all night, stuffing the run game, then jumping receivers when afforded opportunities. The last play of the game was a Godby turnover.
“I can’t say enough about Coach Tyson," Gray said. "He’s a guy that keeps me under wraps from getting too hot, too frustrated. He’s a hell of a coach and he gets his guys flying around. The good thing is those guys have been under him the last three years. The experience and relentless effort is starting to show.”
With Lincoln’s student section fully energized and its sideline exploding with every big play, Friday’s domination sets the stage for the Trojans to have a big year.
“We had to make sure there was no doubt we’re the best in the city,” Pendleton said. “Lincoln runs the city this year.”
Week 1 scoreboard:
- Chiles 25, Rickards 18
- Lincoln 32, Godby 12
- Florida High 41, FAMU DRS 0
- Jefferson County 20, St. John Paul II 0
- Charleston First Baptist 21, NFC 20
- Freeport 42, Maclay 36
- Dixie County 40, Taylor County 14
- Franklin County 19, Bell 6
- Ocala Trinity Catholic 31, Leon 20
- Wakulla 35, Eufaula 14
- Madison County 41, Crescent City 0
- Wewahitchka 48, Munroe 14
Week 2 games:
- Thursday: Trinity Christian vs. Godby at Cox Stadium, 7 p.m.
- Friday: Leon vs. Rickards at Cox Stadium, 7 p.m.; Chiles at Gadsden County, 7 p.m.; Branford at Maclay, 7 p.m.; Lincoln at Rockledge, 7 p.m.; Franklin County at North Bay Haven, 7 p.m.; St. John Paul II at St. Johns Country Day, 7 p.m.; Oak Hall at Aucilla Christian, 7 p.m.; Munroe at Georgia Christian, 7 p.m.; Taylor County at Florida High, 7:30 p.m.; FAMU DRS at Wakulla, 7:30 p.m.; Madison County at Jefferson County, 7:30 p.m.
