CITY CENTRAL LEAGUE : Lincoln Has the Talent and a Sense of Purpose

Should Lincoln be awarded the City Central League championship now or should the trophy dangle over the Hornets’ heads for awhile? Not only does there appear to be no better candidate to win the title, there seems to be no better reason for one team to assert itself.

Last year, the team that wears green inexplicably lost its sting.

As the talent pool thinned, chaos reigned. The Hornets were--by their standard--a horrible 4-7. A perennial league favorite and playoff fixture, Lincoln started 0-5 after making it the section final the previous year.

But the Hornets once again appear ready to field a representative team for a school that has reached the section final six times--winning four of them--in the past 12 seasons.

Lincoln has 10 returning starters, experience and size on the line, and superior talent at most skill positions. Defending champion Madison is rebuilding, as is Crawford. Hoover can’t match Lincoln’s firepower and San Diego, which could be a long shot, lacks depth.

THE RACE

Top contender: Lincoln (4-7)

Could surprise: Madison (6-5), San Diego (2-8).

Hoping for improvement: Crawford (3-7), Hoover (4-6).

Game of the year: Lincoln at Madison, Nov. 15, 7 p.m. Warhawks Coach Steve Jacobacci is counting on his young squad to be healthy and mature by the season finale.

THE PLAYERS

The Man: Lincoln’s Scott Hammond. Opposing teams hope college recruiters will wear down Hammond this fall, because no prep opponent likely will. In 1990, he got lost in the wreckage of a losing season, though he finished with 25 catches at flanker and seven interceptions at cornerback. His size (6-feet-3, 180 pounds) and his speed (10.6 in 100 meters) have not been overlooked by Notre Dame, Miami, the Pac-10 and the Big Ten.

Who will fill Curtis Dawson’s shoes? Maybe Curtis Dawson. Unfortunately, that is doubtful. Dawson, a senior at Madison who rushed for more than 1,000 yards and was league MVP last season, suffered a month-long coma after he was knocked unconscious in a pickup football game. He is now rehabilitating, but probably won’t be cleared to play.

Watch for Lincoln’s Alex Davis (6-4, 225), a senior tight end who runs a 4.6 40-yard dash. Others standouts are quarterbacks Jacque Jones of San Diego and Akili Smith, who transfered from Madison to Lincoln.

Others to watch on offense: Lincoln’s Berry Randle, a Times’ All-County basketball player returning to the football after a year’s absence, as a 6-4 split end; Hoover running back Jaime Blake (4.6 40), younger brother of All-County linebacker Roger Blake; and linemen Doug Curtis (6-3, 215) of Crawford, San Diego’s Brian Broxson (6-1, 237, three-year starter), Hoover’s Jim Morgans (6-3, 210) and Madison spark plug Jeff Campbell (5-7, 215).

Others to watch on defense: Defensive backs Byron Limbrick (Hoover) and Maeland Hoskins (Lincoln) are returning all-leaguers, as are linebackers Ryan McClintock (Madison), Pablo Villegas (Hoover) and Kevin Mitchell (Lincoln).

THE INTANGIBLES

Lincoln’s tough schedule could take a toll. The Hornets could get banged up in consecutive games with Morse, Point Loma and St. Augustine, then lulled by an easy game against Crawford, then shocked by San Diego on Nov. 1. But don’t bet on it.