PETERSBURG, Va. — Partaking in its first pre-season poll as an active Division II member, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania was picked seventh in the North division in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Thursday afternoon.
The order of predicted finish, voted on by the coaches, was released at the Pre-season CIAA Football Luncheon, held at the Jones Dining Hall on the Virginia State University campus. Lincoln, a founding member of the CIAA, won the conference in 1924.
Bowie State was picked to finish first in the North and third overall while defending conference champion Fayetteville State earned No. 1 in the South and the entire CIAA.
“We have to win at home,” Lions' head coach OJ Abanishe said during his interview with emcee Stan Lewter. “We have four Homecoming games on the road. Homecoming is supposed to be a time of celebration. By the end of the day, we want some slow singin', and flower bringin'.”
Abanishe said this year he brings back experience at numerous positions, specifically along the front seven on defense and wide out on offense. Brucelee Sterile (Miami, Fla./North Beach), Brandon McElwee (Gloucester City, N.J./Gloucester City) return as junior linebackers. They have 185 and 177 tackles, respectively, over the last two seasons. Eugene Lancaster (Virginia Beach, Va./Louisburg College), at 370 pounds, clogs the middle as the defensive tackle.
At receiver, sophomore wide receiver Matthew Coston (Queens, N.Y./Dover) brings the deep threat. His 29 catches and 380 yards sit tops among those back in 2010, and his four touchdown grabs tied for a team high in 2009.
Overall, the Lions return 19 starters: 10 on defense and nine on offense.
Lincoln University saw much improvement in its second season of football, winning three games and seeing higher competitiveness in all facets of the game. The season opens at 3 p.m. on Sep. 5 versus Cheyney University of Pennsylvania at Northeast High School in Philadelphia. Last season, LU dominated the final three quarters of the game to roll to a 41-20 victory, also at Northeast.
NORTH
1. Bowie State University
2. Elizabeth City State
3. Virginia Union
4. Virginia State University
5. Chowan University
6. Saint Paul's College
7. Lincoln University
SOUTH
1. Fayetteville State
2. Shaw University
3. Winston-Salem State
4. Saint Augustine's College
5. Johnson C. Smith University
7. Livingstone College
— LU —