A high school football team in the state of Nebraska is choosing not to play its upcoming game against Millard South. Lincoln High is instead choosing to forfeit due to previously-sustained injuries.
This could become a trend.
The high school football program at the center of this latest controversy, for lack of better word, is one of the most dominant in the country. It could be a better idea to take the loss in advance and rest.
Lincoln High canceled the high school football game.
Lincoln High School serves approximately 2,000 students in grades nine through 12 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Millard South serves approximately 2,600 students in grades nine through 12 in Omaha, Nebraska.
These two schools are separated by 45 miles, just a 50 minute drive on I-80.
Lincoln won four of its first six games during the the 2025 high school football season. Millard won all six, but it was forced to forfeit its 49-7 win over Arbor View as penalty for a minor rules violation.
The Panthers are now choosing to back out of their next game and will drop to 4-3. The Patriots will move to 5-1 by default. The primary provided reason for this preemptive forfeiture is health.
“Due to the extent of player injuries sustained in last week’s game, and a number of other factors, we are communicating with Millard South and the NSAA that we are forfeiting the game,” said Lincoln principal Mark Larson. “This was not an easy decision. Ultimately we need to make the best decision for players’ health and safety so we can finish our season. This will allow an extra week for our players to heal.”
Larson also emphasized a desire to finish strong over the last two games of the regular season against Omaha South and North Platte. Both are winnable games.
“We believe in our student-athletes and our coaching staff and know they will continue to work hard to finish the season strong,” he added.
Unfortunately, this could become a common trend with high school football in the state of Nebraska.
Millard South is loaded.
The Patriots, led by four-star Alabama quarterback commit and dunking phenom Jett Thomalla, are dominant. The three-time reigning state champions went 10-2 in 2023 and 12-1 in 2024. They are the heavy favorites to reclaim their crown on the Class A level again this year.
Millard South played Arbor View, Millard West, Kearney, Millard North, Lincoln Southeast and Papillion-LaVista to begin the 2025 high school football season. It won all six games (forced forfeiture aside) by a combined score of 391-17. This weekend’s cancellation will plummet its points per game average.
So, yes, Lincoln High is forfeiting the game for health reasons. That is true.
However, in reality, it goes much deeper. The Panthers were going to lose anyway. They are choosing to avoid a demoralizing blowout and basically take an extra bye week. It not only gives them an extra week to get rested and fully healthy, it also gives them an extra opportunity to game plan for the final two games of the regular season— which will have a huge impact on the playoff picture in Nebraska.
This could start a snowball effect. The Patriots are often accused of stacking their roster through illegal recruiting. They were caught playing two ineligible players just this season. A volunteer assistant coach had two players living with him without legal guardianship, which was a violation of NSAA Bylaw 2.8.
Not only does Millard South have one of the most talented rosters in the state, it beats up on its opponents. What’s the point in playing a game that will almost certainly result in a lopsided loss?
Lincoln High decided to forfeit. I can’t imagine it will be the last school to do so.