Coaches poll puts Lincoln last in CIAA

Lincoln University is projected to become the new cellar dweller of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

In their first season back as full CIAA members, the Lions were picked to finish seventh in the seven-team Northern Division in the conference coaches' preseason poll. They also were picked to finish last overall in the 13-team league.

Fayetteville State was picked to win the conference championship and Southern Division title during Thursday's CIAA Media Day at Virginia State. Bowie State was selected to win the Northern title.

In addition to being picked last, Lincoln didn't have a player named to the all-CIAA preseason team that was selected by the conference's coaches and sports information directors.

But . . .

"We should definitely be able to compete with the majority of the teams in the conference," said Lincoln coach O.J. Abanishe, whose squad returns 19 starters - 10 defensive and nine offensive - from last season's 3-7 squad.

This season has special meaning for the Lions.

The NCAA approved Lincoln for active Division II status effective Sept. 1. The acceptance concludes the Lions' three-year transition from Division III to Division II.

As a result, Lincoln once again will become a full member of the CIAA this season. The Lions were among the founding members of the conference in 1912. But the school left the CIAA when it dropped football after the 1960 season. Lincoln reestablished its football program in 2008.

Since then, the Lions have compiled a 4-16 record. They also take a five-game losing streak into this season.

Perhaps expecting easy victories, conference foes Chowan, Bowie State, and Virginia State scheduled Lincoln as a homecoming opponent this season.

Meanwhile, Lincoln finds motivation in being perceived as nothing more than a homecoming pushover.

"Homecoming is supposed to be a celebratory day," said Abanishe, whose squad was 1-6 last season against CIAA competition. "We are trying to make it a miserable day for the alumni.

"We say, 'We want it to be a lot of slow singing and flower bringing.' "

A lot of that might depend on the performances of quarterback Laquan Williams and linebackers Brucelee Sterile and Brandon McElwee.

For Lincoln to be successful, Williams, a 6-foot, 180-pound sophomore from Bartram, must improve on last season's 917 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.

Sterile and McElwee might be two of the conference's best undersized defenders.

Despite being 5-10 and 200 pounds, Sterile finished with 88 tackles and three sacks last season. The 6-1, 200-pound McElwee added 87 tackles, four sacks, and an interception.

The Lions will open the season against Cheyney on Sept. 5 at Northeast High School. Their first conference game will be Sept. 18 at Virginia Union.

CIAA Coaches Preseason Poll

1. Bowie State

2. Elizabeth City State

3. Virginia Union

4. Virginia State

5. Chowan

6. Saint Paul's

7. Lincoln

1. Fayetteville State

2. Shaw

3. Winston-Salem State

4. Saint Augustine's

5. Johnson C. Smith

6. Livingstone

1. Fayetteville State

2. Shaw

3. Bowie State

4. Elizabeth City State

5. Virginia Union

6. Winston-Salem State

7. Saint Augustine's

8. Virginia State

9. Chowan

10. Johnson C. Smith

11. Saint Paul's

12. Livingstone

13. Lincoln