Lincoln Northeast Clinches Playoff Berth with Big Win

Lincoln Northeast defeated Lincoln Northwest 70 points to zero to secure their first playoff appearance since 2020.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Football

Expressive sports illustration of a football player in navy and gold running with a ball, motion-blurred athletic energy. — Lincoln Northeast secured their first playoff appearance since 2020 after defeating Lincoln Northwest 70-0 on Friday at Union Bank Stadium. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Lincoln Northeast concluded their regular season with a dominant win over Lincoln Northwest at Union Bank Stadium. The victory officially punched the team's ticket to the playoffs for the first time in six years.

Why it matters

The win marks a significant turnaround for the program, which had not reached the postseason since 2020. This playoff berth validates a strong regular season campaign that saw the team finish with a record of 8-1.

Lincoln Northeast finished the regular season with an 8-1 record, while Zayne Scully set the school all-time passing touchdown record with 25 career touchdowns. During the 2026 season alone, Scully recorded 2,039 total yards and 15 passing touchdowns.

The players

Lincoln Northeast

This is a local high school football team that finished the 2026 regular season with eight wins and one loss.

Lincoln Northwest

This is a local high school football team that concluded their 2026 season with three wins and six losses.

Zayne Scully

He is a standout football player who recently established a new school record for all-time passing touchdowns.

Papillion-LaVista South

This is the upcoming opponent for Lincoln Northeast in the opening round of the high school football playoffs.

The details

During the game against Lincoln Northwest, Lincoln Northeast surged ahead by scoring 70 consecutive points. Star player Zayne Scully added to the offensive effort by scoring two touchdowns himself to help seal the win.

The football game occurred on Friday, October 23, 2026.
Lincoln Northeast last clinched a playoff berth in 2020.
Lincoln Northeast will play in the playoffs during the week of October 26, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This win fundamentally alters the outlook for the school program as they move from a strong regular season into postseason contention. By snapping a multi-year playoff drought, the team has successfully shifted the competitive balance within their local high school football landscape.

The playoff berth confirms Lincoln Northeast will continue their season with a matchup against Papillion-LaVista South. Zayne Scully enters the postseason as a central offensive threat after completing his regular season with 11 rushing scores and 658 rushing yards.

The takeaway

Maintaining this level of performance will be crucial as the team faces tougher competition in the playoffs this week. Fans and followers should track how the offensive production of key players like Zayne Scully translates against higher-seeded playoff opponents.