Shawn O’Connor’s phone wouldn’t stop buzzing Saturday night. It had nothing to do with his Lincoln football team’s 28-12 loss to Curtis that was equally disheartening as it was promising.
No, former and current players were flooding his phone with text messages about the college football game that was being televised, between California and Maryland.
In it, were arguably the two best players he produced in his 10 seasons at Lincoln: senior wide receiver Nyan Boateng of No. 12 Cal and redshirt sophomore tight end Lansford Watson of Maryland.
Boateng’s team got the better of the match-up, rolling to a 52-13 victory in Berkeley, Calif. He caught a 39-yard touchdown pass and finished with two receptions for 44 yards. Watson had two catches for 25 yards.
The moment was special because of the bond the two still share with the program. They often return to the Coney Island school, lifting weights with the current players and offering advice on what it takes to make it to the next level. Boateng and Watson have made a concerted effort to mentor junior wide receiver/defensive end Ishaq Williams, who has received offers from Rutgers and Maryland.
“It shows New York City kids can play on the big stage,” O’Connor said.
The 6-foot-2 Boateng came to O’Connor as a raw athlete who had little football experience. He only played basketball his freshman year, but quickly stood out. He was a natural athlete with a lightning-quick first three steps off the ball the coach has yet to see replicated in the PSAL.
He also served as a big brother of sorts to Watson, who was two years behind him. Boateng’s senior year he broke his leg during camp, but attended every practice and game. He went to Florida, but transferred after one year to California, where he led the Golden Eagles in receptions (29) and yards (439) last season.
Boateng’s senior year, Watson broke out before sustaining a leg injury of his own. That forced O’Connor to call up freshman Khalif Staten, who would sign with Iowa by his senior year. He is now at Nassau Community College on Long Island after a tumultuous freshman year.
“If all of them stayed healthy,” O’Connor said, “it would’ve been something to have them together.”
Last year, O’Connor made the trip to College Park in Maryland, to watch the two play against one another for the first time. Afterward the three caught up and took photos.
“I haven’t been to a championship game, but I don’t know how it could come close to watching those two kids produce for both programs,” O’Connor said. “They opened up doors for us at Lincoln.”
