Lincoln’s climb to perennial SFS heavyweight began outside the lines
The evidence on the field is irrefutable. In 10 seasons at Lincoln High, football coach Phil Ferrigno has led the Mustangs to six San Francisco Section title games and five victories. Last season, Lincoln finished off an 11-1 season with a humdinger of a 22-21 win over defending champion Mission in the 89th Turkey Day Game on Thanksgiving. The Mustangs won an SFS-record four straight Turkey Day Games from 2005-2008, winning 36 games in that span. With returning first-team All-Academic Athletic Association standouts Tyree Marzetta, a relentless tailback and linebacker, and two-way lineman Justin Lee, the Mustangs are the favorite to repeat as section champions. “It’s been a blessing,” Ferrigno said. “When we started here, frankly, the place was in rough shape. But we had a plan, the kids bought in and right now things are looking awfully good.” Ferrigno maintains that while the numbers and records are large, it’s all the little things that few see that has fueled Lincoln’s massive success. And little of it has to do with football. The key is an unwavering commitment to grades, physical condition and one another. It’s old-school stuff like study hall, weight training and signing character contracts. It is simple stuff, really, written in black and white and sprinkled with Lincoln Cardinal and Gold pride. “It’s about self respect and respect for others,” Ferrigno said. “It’s about accountability. Ernie Abrea/MaxPreps.com Behavior. Grades. Buying into the greater good. The family. ... Hey, kids mess up and we do Davion Telfor give second chances. God knows I was no angel in high school. But everyone is accountable.” Setting the ultimate foundation is the team’s work in the weight room and on the track, led by assistant coach Phil Doherty who started a weightlifting team. “It started in the spring of 2003 and we lifted outside five days a week during seventh period,” Doherty said. “I started a weightlifting team after school.” Not coincidently, a group of sophomores went 7-0 the following fall on the junior varsity and when they got to varsity helped start Lincoln’s run to glory. They also qualified for Youth Nationals in weightlifting in 2005 and 2006. “The weight room and conditioning and speed work in track has been a huge part of our success,” Ferrigno said. “There’s no denying that.” Wearing teams down and winning tight games have been a Lincoln trademark. So is turning around lives, like last year AAA Co-Player of the Year Demetrius Williams, who was in-and-out of juvenile hall before committing to the Mustangs. The then senior rushed for 139 yards and a touchdown in the 2012 Turkey Day Game win over Mission and finished with 1,316 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns. His career arc coincided with the Mustangs, who went from 2009 title game to 0-11 and 4-7 the next two seasons. “Across the board, we had a lot of kids not taking care of their business,” Ferrigno said. “It’s not difficult to fall off track. It’s a me-first society. The kids see it on TV and all around and our job is to simply turn it around to we-first.” —Mitch Stephens
BEST OF THE CITY 2013
TOP MVP CANDIDATE: Tyree Marzetta, RB/LB, Lincoln TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Kyle Nelson, QB, Galileo TOP DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: Isaac Straznickas, DL, Mission TOP NEWCOMER: Peter Graham, head coach, Washington BEST IN THE TRENCHES: Justin Lee, OL/DL, Lincoln TOP LINEBACKER: Ronzel Fox, LB, Galileo BIGGEST BREAKOUT POTENTIAL: Saadiq Anderson, RB/LB, Washington BEST TANDEM: TE/DL: Alvin Norman and Zachary Rowson, Lowell MOST LIKELY TO CAUSE BRUISES: Joshua Bonse-Davis and Davion Telfor, TE-LBs, Lincoln
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SportStars™
August 22, 2013
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HOW THEY’LL FINISH (2012 record) 1. Lincoln (10-1)
5. Mission (7-4)
3. Washington (2-7)
7. Burton (0-0)
2. Galileo (4-6-1) 4. Lowell (4-6)
6. Balboa (2-7)
8. Marshall (1-9)
TOP 5 GAMES
8/31 9/7 10/18 11/1 11/9
Berkeley at Washington, 1 p.m. Lincoln at Riordan, 1 p.m. Lincoln at Galileo, 3 p.m. Lincoln at Washington, 3 p.m. Mission at Lowell, 2 p.m.
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