Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Wolves Developing Quarterback Tradition
LLOYD RETURNS AS STARTER, BREWER PLAYS BACKUP ROLE FOR LINCOLN FOOTBALL
LINCOLN — Going back to the 2010 season Lincoln has showcased a string of good quarterbacks getting solid play at the position each year in the midst of challenges.
Coaching changes have not diminished the trend.
Two starting quarterbacks transferred elsewhere for their senior seasons, three sophomores earned starting roles, and last season Caleb Lloyd made the transition from runningback as the trend of drawing positive production at quarterback continued under coach Don Harrison.
“I wasn’t here for some of those other guys, but I was here for Harrison (Swayne) and last year we needed somebody that had some experience. Maybe, not just quarterback, but just playing and Caleb had played for two years at runningback as a freshman and sophomore so we put him there and he had his ups and downs last year, but he learned from them. He’s moved on. I think he’s doing a lot better this year understanding the position, taking on some leadership roles so hopefully he’s going to be remembered as another one of those good quarterbacks from Lincoln.”
Quarterback History
Cheyenne Vaughn won the starting quarterback job as a sophomore. Vaughn earned All-State honors twice for the Wolves in 2010 and during his junior season of 2011 when he led Lincoln to only the school’s second playoff berth in the history of Wolves’ football. After a 7-4 season, Vaughn transferred and didn’t play his senior season at Lincoln, so in stepped sophomore Drew Harris, son of former coach Brad Harris.
Lincoln was hampered by an injury to tailback Tyler Cummings in the 2012 season opener, but Drew Harris led the Wolves to a 5-5 record in the school’s first season as a member of the 4A-1 Conference. They just missed the playoffs suffering a 6-0 road loss at Gravette that kept them from going.
As a junior Drew Harris managed a potent offense powering the Wolves to a school best 11-2 record with Lincoln’s first-ever home playoff win (27-13) over Nashville; and first playoff road win (41-21) at Malvern before he, too, transferred and didn’t play his senior season at Lincoln.
Swayne started as a sophomore under coach Scott Davenport, and earned the starting position as a junior and senior when Harrison took over the Wolves’ football program. A dual threat, who both run and pass effectively, Swayne inspired Lloyd when he switched to quarterback after Swayne’s graduation.
Lloyd started at tailback for his freshman and sophomore seasons and could have potentially wound up as Lincoln’s all-time leading rusher had he remained at tailback. Putting team first, Lloyd said that never entered his mind when Harrison asked him to make the switch.
“I just wanted to do what was best for my team,” Lloyd said. “I watched Harrison (Swayne) do it from the days I played with him. At the end of the day it’s about team, not being the leading rusher. I just wanted to put my team in the best scenario to win.”
Grooming Tyler Brewer
Sophomore Tyler Brewer is Lincoln’s quarterback of the future. He effectively demonstrated his prowess as starting junior high quarterback the last two seasons. Brewer is a capable playmaker, whom the Wolves want to get some experience under center in a varsity setting. His ability was highlighted when he completed 16 of 19 passes for 269 yards and 3 touchdowns while leading the junior Wolves to a 41-7 win over Huntsville on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. Brewer gives Lincoln a credible backup to senior signal caller Lloyd.
“We are probably looking at Tyler playing two or three series of games in weeks one, two and three,” Harrison said. “He’s going to play. He’s going to go out there with the starters … We’re going to give him some series with the starters in weeks one, two and three. He will get some time.”
Brewer’s height increased to 6-4 making him two inches taller than last season. He has also bulked up a little bit to 195 pounds albeit Harrison attributes the weight gain to an unusual set of circumstances.
“He’s grown some and I don’t know if it was good or bad, but he tore his meniscus and they repaired it, but during the repair he didn’t get to do much. He was in an immobilizer and things like that. What happened is he gained a lot of weight so we’re kind of excited about that because he wasn’t running up and down the basketball court and doing things like that. He was having to be still because of the immobilizer, not being able to do things, walking on crutches. He gained a lot of weight so we are excited about that because he’s always been a real skinny guy. He’s done a good job, too. He’s worked really hard on his rehab to be able to come back and to be ready to go for this season.
A left-handed guy, throws a pretty ball, understands the system, he’s been my quarterback seventh, eighth, ninth grade, so he’s going to get some time with the starters to start the year.”