It’s No Conspiracy, Just Lincoln-Booth, Act II

A few weeks ago, The Times reported quarterback Scott Swenson of L.A. Baptist High is related to Abraham Lincoln and linebacker Scott Hunt of Hart is a descendant of the brother of Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth.

Hunt and Swenson were brought together and there were no hard feelings. Amazing how time heals wounds, even fatal ones.

But another pair of reasonably authenticated descendants of Lincoln and Booth have surfaced, and tonight they will go face to face on the field with the Marmonte League lead on the line.

Cornerback Jared Buckley of Newbury Park, seventh-generation cousin of Lincoln, will cover wide receiver Jeremy Shoop of Moorpark, whose great, great, great, great grandfather was Booth’s brother, Edwin.

A great, great, great, great matchup is anticipated.

“It’s payback time,” said Jim Buckley, Jared’s father and a minister, with a chuckle.

Shoop has inherited something from the Booths, and it isn’t an itchy trigger finger. He is an actor and a singer, following in a long line of talented Booths.

Edwin was regarded as the greatest Shakespearean actor of the 19th century, and the Booth Theaters, a Midwest chain, were owned by Shoop’s great grandparents.

“Jeremy has the lead in every musical the high school puts on,” said Angie Shoop, his mother. “He just gets the theatrical side from the Booths. He really is a great kid.”