9. Lincoln-Stockton (9-2)
Although Lincoln's season ended with two losses last year - 27-14 to St. Mary’s in league and 35-21 to cross-town Edison in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs - we’re going to give the Trojans the nod as a Top 10 team in these rankings based on who is returning and see how things shake out.
The Trojans like to run the ball, and they can put up some points when the offense is rolling. Lincoln has one of the top junior running back recruits in Northern California in Jonah Coleman. The explosive Coleman already has six solid D1 offers with the most interest from Arizona State, Oregon State and Tennessee.
Last season he rushed for 1,587 yards and 30 TDs, caught 16 balls for 324 yards and four more scores, and with a punt return for a TD he finished with 35 total touchdowns. A three-star prospect by 247Sports, Coleman ranks as their No. 2 all-purpose back nationally and the No. 37 overall junior prospect in the state of California
The Trojans also have of the top dual-threat sophomore quarterbacks in Northern California according to most of the recruiting services in Kenyon Nelson, who already has an offer from Tennessee. As a freshman last season, he passed for 1,003 yards and 15 TDs and ran for 795 yards and seven more scores.
Lincoln has several other juniors and seniors returning that were contributors on both sides of the ball last season, including senior lineman Roman Ameperosa (78 tackles, 7 sacks), and senior linebacker Ignacio Gonzales (73 tackles, 4 sacks). If and when we have a season it could be a big one for the Trojans and their faithful as they look like they may have the weapons to challenge St. Mary’s for Tri-City Athletic League supremacy or more.
If we do have a season, and at this point its highly likely the December 7 start date for contact at practices will be delayed, the showdown with St. Mary’s is scheduled for March 19, the final game of league play. However, if things actually get going, we should know long before then if the Trojans are for real as they are supposed to meet defending CIFSJS D1 champion Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills in the second week of the season.
