Last season, Lincoln Park showed at times that it could compete with just about anyone in the Downriver League, but unfortunately it ended with a 2-7 record and its eighth consecutive losing season.
However, the Railsplitters could very well be able to compete for a playoff spot with a host of players returning from last year’s squad, and that continuity has encouraged head coach Chad Bonmon to take a big step forward this fall.
“We have a tight group,” Bonmon said. “This is the tightest group we’ve had in Lincoln Park since I’ve been here.”
In his fifth season at the helm, Bonmon has arguably his most experienced team. In fact, it appears to be a Lincoln Park team whose entire starting defense will return in 2024. And of the 10 returning starters, eight will also assume starting roles on offense.
The defensive focus will be junior linebacker Logan Ferrell. Ferrell, who was named to the All-News-Herald second team last season, recorded over 80 tackles against Downriver League opponents as a sophomore in 2023.
Ferrell will be flanked on the second level of defense by classmate Brandon Gray. Gray is one of the aforementioned two-way players returning from last season, as the junior will be a backfield option.
It could very well be a 3-4 defensive scheme, at least on paper, with seniors like Tyler Gibbs and Jamir King also expected to spend time in the linebacker core. Gibbs should also pivot and be a viable pass-catching option at the tight end position, while King will join Gray as a potential ball carrier.
On defense, veterans Sean Bailey, Isaiah Badder and Julian Lopez will take on the role of defensive linemen. Both Bailey and Badder will also see a lot of playing time on offense, as the former will play as a tight end while the Lanner will act as a tackle on the line.
Most of the secondary is also already filled with returning starters, as seniors Javion Cornett-Tillman, Omari Harvey and Archie McCornell-Cabiness take over three of the four starting positions. Cornett-Tillman proved to be a matchup problem for opposing offenses in 2023, collecting nearly 20 tackles and catching two interceptions while earning third-team All-Area honors.
Like many of their teammates, this trio of defensive backs will also be Lincoln Park’s primary pass-catching options outside the numbers. Cornett-Tillman, in particular, showed big play potential as a junior last season, averaging over 30 yards per catch on 14 catches.
In addition to the player personnel, there is a certain level of familiarity on the sidelines as well. Bonmon points out that this will be the third consecutive season with the same coaching staff. That high level of communication seems to be important in addressing the Rails’ biggest weakness: turnovers. The boys in royal blue and orange caused 40 turnovers in their nine games last season.
Taking care of the football will be an additional focus for a team potentially breaking in a new quarterback. Among the few potentially impactful additions for Lincoln Park, Bonmon names sophomore signal-caller Corey Williams, who is also expected to be used in the defensive backfield.
Other new additions who will play early and often include a trio of junior linemen: Malik Saucedo-Walker, Santino Galvan, Edo Sol and Jayden Ellsworth.
A close-knit group of players and coaches looking to improve their game could create a breakthrough season of sorts at Lincoln Park in 2024.
“They really love each other and are desperate to make a change,” Bonmon said of his team. “We want to be very competitive in every game on our schedule.”
2024 football schedule in Lincoln Park
(*denotes league game)
Week 1 | vs. Dearborn Edsel Ford / August 29*
Week 2 | at Wyandotte Roosevelt / September 6*
Week 3 | vs Trenton / September 13*
Week 4 | at Allen Park / September 20*
Week 5 | vs. Hamtramck / September 27
Week 6 | at Taylor High / October 4*
Week 7 | vs Southgate Anderson / 11 October*
Week 8 | in Brownstown Woodhaven / October 18*
Week 9 | vs Gibraltar Carlson / 25 Oct.*
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