See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Joseph Staszewski
Brooklyn Daily
Abraham Lincoln’s football players have talked about putting last year’s playoff loss to Tottenville behind them, but it was apparent they hadn’t forgotten.
Defensive back Jahsi Meade was hoisted up on his teammates’ shoulders when he reminded them before last Fiday’s rematch that Tottenville beat them in the Public School Athletic League semifinals last season. When it was over — with Lincoln securing a convincing 26–7 road win — there was an extra bit of energy in the postgame celebration and plenty of hardy hugs among the players and coaches.
“It was very sweet, very sweet” said linebacker Leroy Hancle.
The Railsplitters made a claim to be considered the best New York City team with a fast and efficient offense, and a defense that frustrated Tottenville in the red zone all night.
Running back Antoine Holloman carried the ball 24 times for 115 yards and three touchdowns and quarterback Javon Moore completed 10 of 17 passes for 174 yards and added a rushing score.
Lincoln (3–0) showed off a more up-tempo attack. It went 74 yards in 12 plays on its opening drive to take an 8–0 lead on a Holloman 3-yard touchdown and Moore rushing for a two-point conversion. Lincoln then went 66 yards on just three plays, capped by an 8-yard rushing score by Moore to make it 14–0 with 2:11 remaining the first quarter.
“You saw how fast we could be,” said a smiling O’Connor. “I think we still can be faster. I wasn’t happy. I was screaming on the headsets ‘let’s be fast.’ ”
Holloman showed of some speed to keep Tottenville (1–2) from getting back in the game. Moore was picked off in the end zone by Devin Martin, who looked ready to return it for a touchdown. Instead Holloman, the last man back, was able to dive and bring him down at the Railsplitters’ 30-yard line. That staved off a potentially momentum-swinging touchdown before Lincoln scored at the end of the half to go up 20–0.
“I just didn’t want them to score,” Holloman said. “If they scored that would have changed the whole game around. I just had to hustle down and make that tackle.”
Lincoln stalled three Tottenville drives inside the Railsplitters 30 and Pirates star running back Andrew Russo rushed for just 72 yards on 19 carries. Lincoln corner back Khendell Puryear had an interception and his defense recorded six sacks to support the offense.
“I think our defense showed that it could play also,” O’Connor said.
Lincoln understands a regular season win over Tottenville is important, but that it’s just one step toward winning the city title that eluded it last year. The Railsplitters players feel they still have plenty to prove.
“It was a statement,” Holloman said. “We are the underdogs. We are going to be hunting people this year. We want to go back to Yankee Stadium.”