Last season, Lincoln got off to a slow start in their first year back. What a difference a year makes, as Lincoln improved to 5-0 with a 42-10 win at Mission Bay on Friday afternoon.

“The first year we were back, we didn’t really have an off-season weight program and we’ve had a full year of weights and passing league and everything else,” said Lincoln head coach Ron Hamamoto. “The kids have worked hard to get to this point.”

Lincoln found themselves behind 7-0 early when Mission Bay struck with a 55-yard Dillon Baxter touchdown run. But the Hornets led 21-10 at the half and dominated the second half, shutting out the Buccaneers 21-0.

“We made some mistakes in the first half, but instead of worrying about the other team we just decided we were going to concentrate on ourselves and cut out the mistakes. Once the kids did that, we had a great second half,” Hamamoto said.

Juniors Hayvert Williams and Davon Dunn led a Lincoln ground attack that often featured three backs in the backfield. Dunn finished with 128 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, while Williams ended the day with 152 yards and two scores on 19 carries. Both of Williams’ touchdowns came in the second half, helping the Hornets run away from the Buccaneers.

“I had an open hole – my line opened it up on the left and right side. It was there and I hit it,” Williams said.

Lincoln’s defense pressured Mission Bay quarterback Bryan Allen all game long and kept Baxter in check. Allen finished 5-for-14 for 79 yards and an interception and aside from his touchdown run, Baxter carried the ball 11 times for only 39 yards.

Next Friday, Lincoln (5-0) opens Eastern League action at fellow unbeaten Cathedral Catholic (5-0). Mission Bay (2-3) will look to end their three-game skid at home against Point Loma (2-3) in both clubs’ Western League openers.