LINCOLN - A tall quarterback throwing to tall receivers may give the Lincoln High School football team the chance to play keep-away against diminutive defensive backs this season. | Photo gallery | U Pick 'Em

Ben Brackney, a 6-foot-4, 195-pound junior quarterback who helped the Railsplitter sophomores go 7-2 last fall, replaces the graduated Jacob Harnacke, who threw for 1,401 yards to rank fourth in the Pantagraph area.

"Ben is a big, strong kid and a real good basketball player as well," said third-year coach Jared Shaner. "He has lots of physical ability. It helps that he's got some big targets to throw to."

Brackney, operating out of a flexbone offense, will look for receivers such as 6-3 Kyle Frick and 6-4, 225-pound Kyle Young.

Young started two years ago, but broke his foot the day before last season began. Frick caught 27 passes a year ago for 541 yards and all-Central State Eight Conference first-team honors.

Another returning first-team pick is running back Wes Neece, who had 575 yards rushing and 415 receiving.

"Neece is one of our best all-around athletes in the high school," Shaner said.

Among Neece's blockers will be 6-6, 300-pound college prospect Brock Heidbreder, who wears size 18 shoes.

"We've got some really good skill kids coming back and basically our whole offensive line," said Shaner, who welcomed back nine starters on offense and five on defense from a 3-6 squad that was 2-7 in 2006.

The Railers were more competitive a year ago, losing three games by 10 points or less.

Lincoln's four-down territory has shrunk with the addition of accurate kicker George Kennett, who also plays soccer.

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Meet Lincoln football

Head coach - Jared Shaner, 3rd season (2-year record 5-13)

Nickname -Railsplitters

Conference - Central State Eight

2007 - 3-6 record (2-5 in Central State Eight)

Roster

SENIORS

Kyle Frick, WR/DB, 6-3, 165; Wes Neece, RB/DB, 6-0, 185; George Kennett, K, 5-7, 145; Cody Moore, WR/DB, 5-8, 175; Matt Graham, WR/DB, 5-9, 170; Brock Rippon, RB/LB, 5-8, 170; Blair Bruns, RB/LB, 5-8, 180; Cody McCray, OL/DL, 5-11, 205; Ben Beavers, OL/LB, 6-1, 220; Matt Whalen, OL/DL, 6-0, 195; Cary Bell, OL/DL, 6-0, 255; Brock Heidbreder, OL/DL, 6-6, 300; Kyle Young, TE/LB, 6-4, 225;

JUNIORS

Dylan Eimer, WR/DB, 5-7, 135; Ben Brackney, QB/DB, 6-4, 195; Nick Haferkamp, WR/DB, 5-8, 150; Zack Dukes, WR/DB, 5-7, 165; Jase Camp, RB/DB, 5-8, 160; Colt Hickey, RB/LB, 5-9, 175; Reuben Bowlby, TE/LB, 6-1, 225; Gage Robbins, OL/DL, 5-10, 210; Nathan Swearingen, OL/DL, 6-2, 300; Bryce Hunsley, OL/DL, 6-2, 185; Joel Ritchhart, OL/DL, 5-10, 220; Blake Dowell, OL/DL, 5-8, 315; Jon Mangano, OL/DL, 6-0, 185; Josh Jordan, OL/DL, 6-2, 315; Todd Coppinger, OL/DL, 6-0, 180; Justin Jenkins, WR/DB, 5-11, 140; Dustin Jackson, TE/LB, 5-10, 190.

SOPHOMORES

Adam Ballard, WR/DB, 5-8, 130; Stephen Duncan, QB/DB, 5-9, 145; Marcus Farmer, RB/DB, 5-5, 130; Ryan Leesman, RB/DB, 5-8, 150; Cody Miesner, WR/DB, 5-8, 140; Brendan Fitzsimmons, RB/LB, 5-10, 185; Tyler Cochran, OL/DL, 5-9, 230; Jake Grass, OL/DL, 5-7, 200; Derek Graue, OL/DL, 5-11, 215; Joseph Mangano, OL/DL, 6-0, 180; Tedarian Carter, OL/DL, 5-11, 270; Darvez Stancle, WR/DB, 5-8, 140; Jerry Sanders, WR/DB, 5-7, 155.

Schedule

Aug. 29 - Mount Zion

Sept. 5 - At Springfield^

Sept. 13 - At Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin^

Sept. 19 - At Taylorville^

Sept. 26 - Springfield Southeast^

Oct. 3 - At Chatham Glenwood^

Oct. 10 - Springfield Lanphier^

Oct. 17 - Jacksonville^

Oct. 24 - At Peoria Manual

Games start at 7 p.m.

^ - conference games.

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