Lincoln Lions Surge Past Willow Glen, Claim CCS Final Spot

BREAKING: The Lincoln Lions delivered a stunning performance, scoring 35 points in the second half to decisively defeat Willow Glen 49-14 in the Central Coast Section Division IV semifinals held in San Jose on November 21, 2025. With this victory, Lincoln advances to the CCS final for the first time in school history, setting the stage for a historic matchup against top-seed Branham.

The Lions, now 9-3 for the season, fought back from a tied first half at 14-14. Coach Kevin Collins praised his team’s resilience, stating, “We just wore them down. They had trouble stopping the double tight. We just kind of got after them a little bit.”

Lincoln’s offensive onslaught featured an impressive 345 yards on the ground. Star running back Kyan Phillips shone bright, carrying the ball 20 times for 220 yards and scoring three touchdowns from 31, 34, and 53 yards.

“It’s all the blocking of the O-line,” Phillips remarked after the game. “Nobody’s been able to completely shut us down yet, and hopefully that will continue next week.” Phillips has now surpassed 1,300 rushing yards this season, with a total of 35 touchdowns to his name.

As the game progressed, Lincoln’s defense stepped up, with defensive back Michael Whitelaw intercepting a pass and setting up Phillips’ second touchdown. The Lions’ momentum surged as Phillips broke through for a 53-yard touchdown run, followed by Ryan Berwanger returning an interception for another touchdown just moments later.

Willow Glen, who had been riding a nine-game winning streak, faced adversity without their star quarterback Aiden Akery, who suffered a knee injury two weeks prior. Despite efforts from quarterback Steven Young, who completed 18 of 31 passes for 206 yards, the Rams struggled to keep pace with Lincoln’s explosive offense.

Coach Oscar Caballero expressed pride in his team’s resilience despite the defeat, stating, “This one got away from us, but I’m super proud of our group to overcome the adversity we had week in and week out.”

As Lincoln prepares for the upcoming championship against Branham, anticipation builds. Earlier this season, on October 9, the Lions triumphed over Branham 35-25, instilling confidence among players and fans alike.

With the CCS title within reach, Lincoln’s players are determined to capitalize on their momentum. “Hopefully we stay healthy and we can do what we did in the second half today,” Phillips said.

Fans and supporters eagerly await what promises to be an exhilarating final showdown. The Lincoln Lions are ready to make history!