Lincoln keeps it rolling, wins another 7-A title for San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO — Moments after his workforce’s dominating 54-6 victory over Crenshaw-Los Angeles within the CIF Division 7-A Championship, Lincoln coach Phil Ferrigno provided some sage recommendation for the subsequent technology of San Francisco athletes.

“In the event you’re a younger man who likes working the soccer, it’s best to take into consideration enrolling in Lincoln Excessive Faculty,” stated Ferrigno. “As a result of that’s what we do right here.”

Aided by the moist and wet situations that performed completely into the Lincoln (10-3) sport plan, the Mustangs racked up 437 speeding yards whereas throwing the ball precisely zero occasions in taking down the overmatched Cougars, who dressed simply 21 gamers for the sport. 

Main the Mustangs assault had been senior Ricky Underwood and junior Jamelle Newman, who mixed for 337 yards speeding and 5 touchdowns.

Underwood set the tone early with a 37-yard landing scamper two minutes and 26 seconds into the competition. Crenshaw (8-7) responded with a protracted drive that went deep into Lincoln territory, however the Mustangs had been capable of cease Cougars quarterback Donce Lewis at three yard line on fourth and objective.

Lincoln fullback Diego Cristern later plowed in from 6 yards out with 46 second left within the first quarter, and the rout was on. Underwood was dominant by the primary two quarters, choosing up 158 of his 171 whole speeding yards within the half. Alongside along with his opening drive landing, he scored on runs of 47 and 20 yards, typically zipping by large holes created by the Lincoln offensive line.

“That is what we prepare and apply for — that is Lincoln soccer,” Underwood stated. “We at all times run the ball. With the rain and the mud right now, it labored out completely for us.”

Within the second half, Underwood gave solution to his companion within the backfield, as Newman carried the ball eight occasions for 115 yards, together with landing runs of 1 and 47 yards. Newman stated he was impressed within the second half by some pretty primary directions from his teammates.

“They instructed me to carry on to the ball and run quick,” Newman stated. “In order that’s I did.”

Junior quarterback Michael Simmons additionally chipped in for the Mustangs, including landing scores from 49 and 5 yards within the second half.

Crenshaw entered the sport on a seven-game profitable streak that noticed them common practically 50 factors a contest, however they might by no means get settled towards a stout Lincoln protection. 

Lewis threw two interceptions and fumbled as soon as. 

The Mustangs additionally blocked a punt that arrange Newman’s 1-yard landing run. Crenshaw was unable to get on the scoreboard till the 7:21 was left within the fourth quarter, when Roberto Salazar hauled in a highlight-reel, juggling 36-yard landing reception from Lewis.

With the win, the Mustangs and Ferrigno captured their third state title, following triumphs in Division 6-A in 2018 and 7-AA in 2019. The victory additionally marked the fifth straight season {that a} San Francisco public faculty workforce has claimed a state title.

“I hear rather a lot about how we don’t have the gamers in San Francisco,” stated Ferrigno. “However we’ve athletes. These guys raise weights, they run monitor, they play different sports activities. They know tips on how to play this sport. There’s discuss shifting us up one other division—we are going to gladly try this. You already know, we aren’t afraid to play anybody.”