Lincoln schools: What to expect in '08

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

Lincoln Christian QB Devin Paulsen passed for 1,554 yards and 18 touchdowns last year and will be joined in the backfield by Steve Christensen, who ran for nearly 500 yards. WR Ben Manley returns, but the Crusaders have a young and inexperienced line.

Lincoln East QB Scott Sunderman started four games last year and that experience should help. Josh Aldridge is the only returning starter on the offensive line, a key area if the Spartans hope to take advantage of their stable of tall, fleet receivers.

Lincoln High started generating some points late in the season. QB Dylan Flinn is back, along with a pair of receivers with experience in R.J. Richardson and Lonnie Taylor, and Josh Sapp will anchor the offensive line. Developing depth will be important.

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Lincoln Lutheran is coming off a Class C-1 playoff appearance. Daniel Ebert has more than 1,100 career rushing yards, Andy Hellerich is a top defensive lineman, Connor Shelton is a two-year starter and Isaiah Bockelman started in the secondary as a freshman.

Lincoln North Star returns a wealth of depth at running back, receiver and linebacker, with a solid nucleus returning in the line. RBs Diego Green and Michel Mikaya return, as well as WR D.J. Battiato and TE Mateo Molifua. Developing a quarterback will be the primary concern.

Lincoln Northeast has Husker recruit Cole Pensick to anchor the lines, but he will have some inexperienced guys with him. Porter Groves and Yusef Wade are back in the secondary and there is some experience in the linebacking corps. Team speed is an asset.

Parkview Christian will be battling the numbers game all season. Coming off last year’s eight-man playoff appearance, the Patriots will be a very young and very inexperienced  team this time around.

Lincoln Pius X returns one offensiver starter in TE Alex Jones, but the Thunderbolts could be solid on defense with five starters back, including DL Adam Kerr and Bill Vogel. There is more depth than in recent seasons but the schedule is again dotted with challenges.

Lincoln Southeast hopes to pick up where it left off, that is, with a win in last year’s final game. Still a young squad, the Knights will look to capitalize on the athleticism of multi-sporters such as Taylor Price and Josh Scheffert and the addition of 6-foot-7 Jake Cotton.

Lincoln Southwest returns QB Rylan Cotton, and with OL Andy Essman, Jason Schrad and Drew Jagadich, the Silver Hawks have the experience up front to pave the way for FB Lynn King. Jordan Tyrance transferred from Parkview Christian.

Top players

WR Tyson Clark, East, 6-4, 200,  sr.

Caught 20 passes for 381 yards last year

WR Drew Sankey, East, 6-5, 205, sr.

Averaged better than 20 yards per reception

OL Cole Pensick, Northeast, 6-2,  260, sr.

Husker recruit a driving force for LNE

OL Josh Sapp, Lincoln High, 6-1, 285, sr.

Two-year starter is key to Links’ offense

DB Porter Groves, Northeast, 5-7, 140, sr.

Came up with some key takeaways in ‘07

Util Jerry Key, North Star, 6-0, 175, sr.

Three interceptions last year for Gators

QB Rylan Cotton, Southwest, 6-0, 195, jr.

Nearly 1,300 yards of total offense last year.

QB Devin Paulsen, Christian, 6-2, 210, sr.

Tossed 18 touchdowns as a junior.

WR R.J. Richardson, Lincoln High, 5-8, 160, sr.

Caught 20 balls for over 350 yards.

Top games in Lincoln

Southwest vs. Kearney, Sept. 26: this could be for the district title, even though it is the first district game for both teams.

East vs. Southeast, Oct. 17: This one always means a lot, but this year’s renewal will likely have playoff implications.

Aug. 29

Pius X vs. Waverly

Sept. 12

Southwest vs. Northeast

Sept. 18

Southwest vs. Grand Island

Sept. 19

Christian vs. Lutheran

Sept. 25

East vs. Elkhorn

Oct. 10

Southeast vs. Southwest

Oct. 24

Pius X vs. Crete

North Star vs. Northeast

News flashes

Lincoln’s Class A districts line up as follows: Northeast, North Star and Lincoln High are in A-1, which also includes Grand Island, North Platte and Fremont. A-2 includes East, Northeast and Southwest, as well as Elkhorn, Kearney and Norfolk.