Abraham Lincoln dethrones Northeast as Public League 6A champions
Tagged under: District 12, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs
Anthony Franklin | November 12, 2023
The last time Lincoln was recognized as Public League Champions was 1979. Last year they entered the Public League championship game as underdogs yet they held a 14-0 lead after the 1st quarter and looked to end not only their 27 year losing streak to the Vikings but at that point a 43 year title drought. Unfortunately Northeast the more experienced team would claw back and score 19 unanswered points to retain the championship leaving the Railsplitters heartbroken. The 2023 season started rough for Lincoln as they’d start off 0-3 in their non-league schedule losing close games to Downingtown West, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy and Roman Catholic. Those games were all within 2 possessions of Lincoln winning. They’d open Public League play against Imhotep and give the best team in the league a run for their money before falling 26-12. That game gave them the confidence that they could play with anyone. They’d run through their division foes with ease anticipating the regular season matchup with Northeast. They’d dominate that game from start to finish winning convincingly 37-0 and gave them confirmation this team had arrived as the top team in the class.
Saturday afternoon Lincoln entered as favorites and started the game off with an impressive defensive stand as their defense would force a quick 3 and out for Northeast before their offense took the field. On the first drive Gabe would find multiple receivers for 1st downs and even rushed for one setting the ball up inside the Viking 20 yard line before penalties set them back to the 30 yard line on 4th down a Gabe pass was tipped and intercepted on the goal line. The Northeast defender was probably best letting it go as the Vikings would start with the ball on the 1/2 yard line. Their first play the RB David Akpuru would be tackled in the endzone for a loss which resulted in an safety and an early 2-0 lead for Lincoln. After the free kick Lincoln would give the ball back to the Vikings after being stopped and then Lincoln’s offense would start at their own 48 yard line and drive down field before Gabe found Sr. WR Roling Davis on a screen pass that he’d find his way into the endzone for a touchdown. The conversion would fail and the end of the 1st quarter score would remain 8-0 in favor of Lincoln. They’d dominate most of the 2nd quarter as Nashawn Corley would intercept a Lamont Brown pass and then a few plays later catch a touchdown pass from Gabe Smalley to extend the lead to 15-0 early in the 2nd quarter. The Vikings defense led by Deshawn Woodhouse sack and tackles for losses would do their best to keep the team in the game early forcing Lincoln into punt situations but the offense was stagnant and Lincoln would add a late 1st half score with Gabe once again finding Roling Davis on a 39 yard pass to give the Railsplitters an 22-0 halftime lead.
The 2nd half Northeast came out energized and the offense found success as Jr. RB David Akupuru zoomed 83 yards to the endzone to cut the lead to 22-6 with 9:48 left in the 3rd quarter. The defense would recover a Gabe Smalley fumble and Lamont Brown would find David for a 14 yard touchdown reception to cut the lead to 22-12. The Lincoln staff sensing the momentum shifting as it did a year ago rallied the players and Senior captain Gabe Smalley put the team on his back orchestrating a drive capped off with his 4th touchdown pass of the game this time to Nathaniel Rivera to put the game out of reach at 29-12. The 4th quarter would be scoreless and at the final whistle Lincoln would raise the Public League Championship trophy for the first time in 44 years.
Head Coach Hakeem Cooper is an alum and former Railsplitter himself and built this program from the bottom. He wins his first HS championship as well as assistant Joe DirGazio who was an all league and all city LB at Lincoln. Coach Hak decided to split the game MVP between his two offensive stars QB Gabe Smalley & WR Roling Davis. Gabe was very instrumental in this win and in helping the team this season get over the hump. When asked about his 4th touchdown pass to shift the momentum back to his teams side Gabe said “I think everyone kept their focus and I promised myself I would drive us downfield and get us a score”. He also stated that “Coach Hak and the staff preached to lock in on the prize, we worked all year for this one game and we weren’t going to let anyone else take what was ours. They emphasized that we play with more discipline than ever”.
Next week due to PIAA transfer rules Gabe will be unavailable when Lincoln plays St. Joes Prep for the District 12 6A title but he is going to be active in helping from the sidelines aiding his replacement. He stated “I’m going to make sure whoever steps in is prepared for this game. All week I’ll be helping them out in reading the field & throwing the ball”. As for Gabe he has one more HS game to don the Lincoln uniform on Thanksgiving when he looks to help his school end another streak, the 34 year losing streak to Father Judge. Previously in years when they’ve been favored they’ve fallen short but he vows this year will be different. “Alumni and fans can look forward to another interesting game and another win. We don’t fear Judge and I know they know that we are coming”.
Gabe has the school record for passing yards in a season and is very close to the Public League career passing yardage record which with a big Thanksgiving Day game he could break. For the season he has over 2500 passing yards and 30 TD passes. Ironically his two older brothers both played & graduated from Father Judge. Both brothers Paul & Matt are cheering this one year for Lincoln as they hope little brother continues to break records & streaks this season.
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