Highland Park

By RICK PETERSON

The Capital-Journal

Officially, Mike Lincoln is a teacher and head football coach at Highland Park.

Unofficially, Lincoln is also a salesman, trying his best to sell players on his program.

Although it's still too early to tell, it appears that Lincoln is making important strides in that regard.

Numbers are up, defections are down and the Scot players seem to be buying into what Lincoln and his staff are trying to teach them.

"Last year everything was new, but we're trying to sell them on teamwork, hard work, a positive attitude and those kind of attributes," Lincoln said. "Regardless of whether we win or lose, we want people to know that they played us."

Among the positive signs for Lincoln and his program are:

> Fifty-five players in the top three grades, including17 seniors.

> The Scots return nine players with starting experience on offense and 10 on defense, with a total of 20 lettermen back.

> Between 35 and 40 players regularly showed up for off-season weight workouts. "That's a far cry from last year," Lincoln admitted.

> Only two players have left the team during two weeks of two-a- days.

All totaled, Lincoln likes what he sees.

"We're real pleased with our numbers and we reported in better shape this year," he said.

"There seems to be a new excitement about Highland Park football."

Back to guide the Highland Park offense is senior quarterback Raphael Posey (6-foot-2, 195), who is a three-year starter and has established himself as a major college prospect.

Posey, an All-City pick, passed for 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns last season.

To get ready for his senior season, Posey, also All-City in basketball, attended camps at both Kansas State and Missouri over the summer.

"We expect Raphael to be very good and his main attribute is as a leader," Lincoln said.

Also returning on offense are seniors Gerrad Hall (6-4, 295 tackle), Anthony Merriweather (5-11, 180 running back), Chad Thompson (6-1, 230 guard), Sam Schattilly (5-11, 275 tackle) and Travis Ray (5- 9, 195) and juniors Karwin Johnson (6-3, 195 wide receiver), Brandon Mitchell (6-1, 190 tight end) and Mike Roberts (6-0, 190 center).

Back on defense are seniors Tanner Davis (5-9, 160 linebacker), Hall (defensive end), Merriweather (defensive back), Thompson (linebacker) and Schattilly (defensive tackle), juniors Johnson (linebacker), Gerome King (5-9, 160 defensive back), Mitchell (linebacker) and Roberts (defensive end) and sophomore Grant Gould (5- 11, 170 linebacker).

Now the key is for the Scots, 1-8 last year and winless in the Centennial League, is to put more victories on the board this fall.

"Wins cure a lot of things," Lincoln admitted.

Highland Park opens its season Friday night against arch-rival Topeka High. That game will be played at Highland Park although Topeka High will be listed as the home team.

With both teams returning most of their starters, Friday's game could be another high-scoring affair. Topeka High won last year's game, 40-36.

Following the Topeka High game, Highland Park will play non- league games at Fort Scott and KC-Washington before finally opening Centennial League play at home Sept. 24 against Washburn Rural.

--- Chris Ochsner/The Capital-Journal

Coach --- Mike Lincoln, second year.

1998 record --- 1-8 overall, 0-5 (sixth in Centennial League).

1999 schedule --- S. 3 vs. Topeka High (at Highland Park), S 10 at Fort Scott, S 17 at KC-Washington, S 24 Washburn Rural, O 1 Emporia, O 8 at Hayden, O 15 Shawnee Heights, O 22 at Topeka West, O 29 Seaman.

Returning offensive starters (9) --- OT Gerrad Hall, sr.; RB Anthony Merriweather, sr.; QB Raphael Posey, sr.; FB Travis Ray, sr.; OG Chad Thompson, sr.; OT Sam Schattilly, sr.; WR Karwin Johnson, jr.; TE Brandon Mitchell, jr.; C Mike Roberts, jr.

Returning defensive starters (10) --- LB Tanner Davis, jr.; DE Gerrad Hall, sr.; DB Anthony Merriweather, sr.; LB Chad Thompson, sr.; DT Sam Schattilly, sr.; LB Karwin Johnson, jr.; DB Gerome King, jr.; LB Brandon Mitchell, jr.; DE Mike Roberts, jr.; LB Grant Gould, so.

Copyright 1999
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