journalstar
Blood trickled down Jase Coke's face, drying in the crisp late-October air. The Lincoln Southwest junior had just crossed into the end zone for a touchdown that helped propel the Silver Hawks to a 28-21 victory over Lincoln North Star on Thursday at Seacrest Field.
With the win, Southwest secured a playoff berth and finished the regular season on a high note. The Silver Hawks held a 14-7 lead at halftime, but North Star battled back to tie the game at 14-14 in the third quarter. From there, Southwest rattled off 14 unanswered points to take control for good.
Thatcher Shelton powered the ground game with two rushing touchdowns, while Coke added a score of his own. Harrison Wagner also found the end zone for the Silver Hawks. North Star's Eli Schafer threw for a touchdown and ran for another, and Braylon Kelley hauled in a key reception, but the Navigators couldn't keep pace in the second half.
After the final whistle, Southwest head coach Grant Traynowicz gathered his players to deliver a post-game speech, and the team erupted in celebration with their student section. North Star head coach James Thompson consoled his players, including Alex Hoebelheinrich, as the Navigators' season came to a close.
Key Analysis
The Silver Hawks' ability to respond after surrendering a halftime lead demonstrates their resilience and big-play capability. The 14-0 run in the second half proved decisive, and Southwest's balanced attack—featuring Shelton's two touchdowns and Coke's gritty score—kept North Star's defense off balance. The victory not only avenges last season's loss to the Navigators but also propels Southwest into the playoffs with momentum.
Originally reported by journalstar.