‘They’re eager to be coached up’: Lincoln High embracing young team

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – After losing some key players to graduation, the Lincoln High Links have a young and energetic team as they gear up for the 2023 football season.

The Links finished last season with a 4-5 record and have been working hard with the new additions.

Head coach Mark Macke said that despite the youth of this team, the Links are responding to the expectations coaches have set.

“These kids are very, very coachable, and this is our opportunity,” Macke said. “A lot of these kids haven’t had a whole lot of Friday night experience. They’re eager to be coached up.”

Senior Corlen Williams-Barney said he and other seniors have stepped up to be leaders for the younger guys and said they’re willing to do whatever it takes for the team.

“I like the fact that, you know, we have a lot of different guys,” he said. “We had a lot of different talents last year, and they, you know, they all kind of graduated. And it’s nice to see different players with different skill sets to, you know, bring to the field.”

Senior lineman Peyton Everett said it’s been tough at times getting back into the swing of things, but he and his team have stayed resilient ahead of the season.

“Playing in the heat, full pads, it can be tough,” he said. “But if you have mental toughness, you can get through it.”

Everett said he wants players who aren’t there because they have to be but because they want to learn.

“If we can have that, I feel like we can go and we can win a couple of more games,”