The rivalry between the Knights and the Silverhawks was renewed Friday, Oct. 26, when the two teams faced off in the first round of the state championship football tournament. Earlier in the season, LSE won 22-13 in a dramatic victory that was plagued by an hour-long weather delay. These Lincoln powerhouses met in the playoffs for the first time since 2009, when the Knights defeated the Silverhawks 14-7 in the quarterfinals.

The 8th seed Knights hosted the 9th seed Silverhawks at Seacrest Field in the much anticipated rematch where the winner would go on to face the 1st seed Omaha Burke Bulldogs. In the first quarter, senior and Husker bound Silverhawks kicker Dylan Jorgensen missed a 27-yard chip shot, just his fourth missed kick of the season. On the ensuing Knights’ drive, while scrambling for the first down near midfield, quarterback Jampe’ Gergen went down with a devastating ACL tear.

For the rest of the game, backups McGinness Schneider and Coleby Daffer split time. Early in the second quarter on his first snap at quarterback, Daffer threw a 90-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Michael Anderson, who beat Silverhawks cornerback Brady Bickford on a go route down the sideline. Later in the quarter, the Silverhawks got on the board with a shifty 24-yard rushing touchdown by Frazzie Wynn III after breaking multiple tackles. With 6:22 remaining in the 3rd quarter, Jorgensen hit a 44-yard field goal to give the Silverhawks a 10-7 lead.

On the following possession the Silverhawks took control of the game forcing a 3-and-out of the Knights’ sputtering offense. Southeast punter Grant Detlefsen sent a high spiral to Silverhawks receiver Gabriel Davis. Davis then muffed the punt which was recovered at the Hawks’ 34-yard line by Knights linebacker Braxton Betancur. Later in the drive, while under pressure from Southwest linebacker Caden McCormack, Daffer launched a desperation heave to the end zone, where a blanketed Michael Anderson made a tremendous adjustment to the under thrown ball to catch the 24-yard touchdown, his second of the day.

On the Knights’ next possession, looking to ice the game, Daffer launched a pass into the end zone intended for junior receiver Isaac Appleget, but was intercepted the Hawks’ TaeVyn Grixby with 4:05 remaining, giving Southwest one last chance. Early in the drive, Wynn hit a hole on the right side of the line and gashed the Knights’ defense for a 40-yard gain. The run set up the Hawks deep in Knights’ territory, giving them a prime opportunity to score a late touchdown and steal the victory. Later in the drive, on fourth and seven from the Knights 14-yard-line, Southwest quarterback Laken Harnly rolled to his right and took aim at the end zone, but under heavy pressure by Knights defensive linemen Tramar Byron and with excellent coverage downfield by Knights safety Devin Trumbley, the pass fell incomplete, clinching the victory for the Knights. If not for the missed field goal early, the Silverhawks would have instead been able to kick a game winning field goal on fourth and seven instead.

Even with the loss of their quarterback and captain Jampe’ Gergen, the Knights were able to rally behind a strong defensive performance, the punishing rushing attack of Jaden Davis, and had only half the penalties and yardage of the Silverhawks, which all contributed to defeating their rival in the first round playoff matchup.

The Knights now advance to the state quarterfinals, and will visit the number one ranked Omaha Burke Bulldogs on Friday to keep their season alive.