Shortly after Lincoln Prep’s dominating 56-0 win over East on Friday, three-year starting quarterback Howard Brown was asked if he could recall the last football game that he didn’t take a snap from under center.
It wasn’t a trick question, but an honest inquiry to a senior that has built a reputation as a dual-threat single-caller despite weighing close to 300 pounds.
Brown, an Iowa State defensive line commit, thought for a second before answering.
“I don’t know,” he said.
Brown was healthy enough to play quarterback. He just didn’t.
“I could’ve (done) a lot better than what I did,” he said. “But I am happy with my performance.”
Lincoln College Prep was never really challenged in its Interscholastic League matchup at East
Miscues and turnovers stymied East at every turn, head coach Greg Smith said.
“Great players, great coach staffing (at Lincoln), but you still have to show up and play,” Smith said. “We didn’t do it in the first half.”
The talent gap was obvious before, during and after a game the Blue Tigers pretty much controlled from the opening whistle.
For Lincoln, the IL opener for both teams was an opportunity to show off a collection of playmakers in all three phases of the games.
Brown played defensive tackle for most of the night. He was a disruptive force on the interior of a defense that has the potential to be one of the best in the Kansas City area. Lincoln has recorded two shutout wins in three games.
Hard-hitting senior linebacker Jermaine Hamilton-Jordan, an Arkansas defensive commit, scored two touchdowns on offense. Wide receiver Daryl Williams scored on a running play.
And kicker Sam North successfully converted all eight point-after attempts.
The display of skill was partly by design, Lincoln head coach William Lowe said.
“We just decided to try to get prepared for later on during the season and the playoffs,” he said. “We worked all week with backup quarterbacks just to get them reps in meaningful games. We wanted to put them in when it mattered.”
The Blue Tigers, coming off a bye, played their first game since a Week 2 loss at Lansing. The taste of victory was much needed, Lowe said.
“It’s always hard in games like this,” he said. “Kids are kids. They know what the game situations are like. But we try to get them to play at a high level.”
East remained winless on the year. The Bears, 0-4 overall and 0-1 in league play, suited up just 26 players. Lincoln, 2-1, used a full roster that saw backups and junior varsity players play most of the second half.
“We have to give it to Lincoln,” Smith said. “Lincoln is one hell of a team.”
Wide receiver Darryl Williams kicked off the night's fireworks with a 69-yard sprint on a jet sweep to account for the game's first score. A successful extra point kick by North gave Lincoln a 7-0 first quarter lead.
East fell asleep on the following kickoff. Lincoln recovered a free ball at the Bears' 4-yard line. Hamilton's short scoring run and another extra point kick from North pushed the lead to 14-0.
A 47- yard punt return from Deaven Roberson set up a first down from the Bears’ 33-yard line.
Two plays later, Hamilton ran 26 yards up the middle of the East defense for his second touchdown. The successful PAT kick made it 21-0 with less than one minute remaining in the opening quarter.
A blocked punt led to a 26-yard scoring run from sophomore Alonzo Byrd. Another successful kick from North put the visiting team ahead 28-0.
A pick-6 quickly followed. The first of two interceptions from Brendon Hurd was returned 30 yards for a score. The extra point kick made it 35-0.
Marcus Bass found the endzone on a 4-yard run to help build the lead to 42-0 halfway through the second quarter.
A 65-yard touchdown pass to DJ Armine extended the lead. And Jayden Sudduth’s 40-yard scoring run and the final extra point kick from North topped the scoring with 1:26 remaining before halftime.
