LINCOLN -- Lincoln fans got a first-hand look at the off-season preparations when the junior high and senior high football squads scrimmaged Friday during Meet the Wolves.
Lincoln introduced their fall sports teams, including pee wee, seventh grade, junior high and high school football, cheerleaders, dance teams, volleyball squads, golf teams and coaches, some of whom had been rained out earlier as Lincoln held their photo day for extra-curricular participants. Yet, football was the main event Friday.
Second-year Lincoln head coach Don Harrison guided the Wolves into the 2015 playoffs during his first season; and wants to make Lincoln a perpetual playoff team.
"Making the playoffs, especially here at Lincoln, for the fourth time (in school history) gave the kids and this a community a sense of 'hey, we can do this,'" Harrison said. "All we got to do is work hard and it can happen."
The Wolves have now qualified for the state football playoffs three times in five years, narrowly missing a 2012 berth with a 6-0 road loss at Gravette while finishing a 5-5.
Harrison runs a spread offense, frequently splitting out twin receivers to either side. Operating out of the shotgun, Harrison places a high priority on executing deep snaps of the football that go several yards into the backfield. Harrison entrusts his son, Trea, a 5-11, 225 pound, junior center, with snapping the football to begin each play
When Harrison first informed his family he was taking the head coaching position at Lincoln, he admits Trea wasn't too thrilled. The family resided at Newport and Trea would be coming to a new environment, having to make new friends. According to Harrison, the Lincoln boys welcomed Trea from day one.
"His first day we went to a pad camp," Harrison said. "He drove all the way over from Newport. The guys took to him right off the bat. He's closer to grandpa and grandma. He really enjoys northwest Arkansas."
Logan Gilbreath, Trea Harrison and Pace Maddox are in the mix for handling long-snapping duties on special teams, including punts and field-goals.
"Logan Gilbreath looks like he may be the extra-point snapper," Harrison said. "He does a good job of that."
The Wolves came out in their twin wide receiver set to begin Friday's scrimmage. A receiver stretched out, diving forward to make a catch, impressing his coach.
"Man, that's a catch," Harrison said.
Junior High
Head Lincoln junior high coach Tyler Dorton said overall, he was pleased with Friday's scrimmage.
"Their attitude and effort is always good," Dorton said. "They had the typical first big-crowd jitters. This is the largest crowd the junior high kids have ever played in front of.
"All their families and relatives were there. I think they were pretty amped about it, but at the same time nervous. It's always positive to come out in front of a crowd and get a few risk-free reps in."
According to Dorton, once the jitters went out, things went smooth.
Sports on 08/24/2016