kicker motor stuck in reverse

[brw]

OFC Friends:

a first time for me today. fired up the Yamaha 8.8 hp and hit my first spot no problem. went to move to a new honey hole and realized that the motor was stuck in reverse, even though the lever at the motor was freely moving between forward, neutral, and reverse. Throttle at console was freely movng as well and moving the motor lever no problem. Really head scratching. I have a 115 and the 8.8 connected w/ the same linkage and separate throttles at the console. Is there a quick fix to this or am I bound for a trip to my mechanic?

Thanks to all who respond.

[DRIFTER_016]

Check the shift cable where it connects to the kicker, could have come loose/disconected.