City Times Staff

NEENAH — After a successful run in the Valley West Conference, the Red Raiders fell short in their playoff match-up against Neenah on Friday night.

A tough Neenah defense would be the catalyst for three interceptions on the night for Jake Mancl, and the Red Radiers struggled to put points on a top-ranked Neenah squad throughout. Mancl did connect with Isaiah Westfall late in the second for a 30-yard touchdown, as the score was a much closer 10-7 at halftime in a defensive battle.

However, it wasn’t enough to overcome a solid Rockets team, as the defense stepped up in the second half, as well as the Neenah offense. Neenah Quarterback Sam Dietrich would run in a 67-yard touchdown off an option route to make it 17-7 to spark a momentum swing in the Rocket’s favor. Neenah would hold their lead to win 30-7.

Running back Isaac Pelot rushed for over 80 yards on the night, with Nash Coombs contributing 60 of his own. Jake Mancl threw for nearly 200 hundred yards in the losing effort.

While the loss knocks them out of the playoffs, Lincoln can keep their heads held high. With with multiple players receiving first-team conference honors, and winning the Valley West Conference championship, this marks the end of a very successful Red Raider football season.