The Philadelphia Inquirer reported today that four former Cheltenham High School football players will compete for Abraham Lincoln High School in Philadelphia this fall.

Lincoln plays in the Philadelphia Public League (Independence Division) and competes within District 12 of the PIAA’s 6A classification. Cheltenham canceled its 2026 varsity and junior varsity football seasons following a hazing incident during the 2025 season.

According to The Inquirer’s coverage, seniors Kendall Jackson, the Panthers’ starting quarterback last season, and junior offensive lineman Mason Jones are eligible to play. Senior offensive lineman Kaiden Rogers and senior cornerback Andre Jones still have to undergo District 1 hearings on their playing eligibility.

As of October 2025, Jackson’s 3,545 career passing yards moved him into third place on the Panthers’ all-time list. As a 6’1″, 190-pound all-state candidate his junior year, he tied a passing record and threw for two of the program’s six 300-yard passing games. In 2024, he became the first sophomore Panther quarterback to throw for over 1,000 yards (and then 2,000 yards) in a season in the 125-year history of the program.

“These Cheltenham kids are good kids who wanted a chance to play,” Lincoln head coach Hakeem Cooper said. “They’re good kids that deserve it. They’re learning the system, and they are still trying to figure things out, but they have fit right into our culture and they work hard, honestly.”

Last October, Lincoln beat Philadelphia Public League power Imhotep, 26-25, which ended the Panthers’ 35-game Public League winning streak, The Inquirer said.

Glenside Local reached out to Cheltenham School District earlier this week regarding the prospect of fielding a ninth grade team this season. We have not yet received a response.

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Photo: CSD