Gahanna Lincoln caps undefeated season, earns top regional playoff seed
Gahanna Lincoln High School completed an undefeated 10-0 regular season and won the OCC-Ohio title outright by edging Pickerington North 20-19.
Gahanna Lincoln High School edged Pickerington North 20-19 on Friday, Oct. 23, completing an undefeated 10-0 regular season and winning the OCC-Ohio title outright at 5-0. The victory marked the program's second 10-0 regular season in four years.
Grey Kegley hit John Quartey for a 3-yard touchdown with 1:57 left. The Lions' defense recovered four fumbles and held North to 14 rushing yards.
Gahanna Lincoln earned the top seed at 10-0. Under OHSAA tournament rules, the top four seeds in each region receive a first-round bye. Regional first-round playoff games across the state are scheduled for Friday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m..
Regional quarterfinal playoff games will be played on Friday, Nov. 6. Gahanna Lincoln earned a bye and hosts the winner of the game between seeds 8 and 9. That matchup features Olentangy Orange playing at Columbus St. Charles.
The Lions are coached by Bruce Ward. Ward said the defense has helped keep the team on track.
"Our defense is the consistent one and the one that kind of keeps this engine rolling," Ward told CW Columbus. Ward emphasized that the roster continues to fight "no matter the situation, no matter the score, no matter the opponent."
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The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
https://www.thewestervillenews.com/p/regional-news-october-25-2026
Supporting evidence (4)
Gahanna Lincoln High School edged Pickerington North 20-19 on Friday, Oct. 23, completing an undefeated 10-0 regular season and winning the OCC-Ohio title outright at 5-0.
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Gahanna Lincoln edged Pickerington North 20-19 on Friday, October 23, completing a 10-0 regular season — its second in four years — and winning the OCC-Ohio outright at 5-0.
The victory marked the program's second 10-0 regular season in four years.
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completing a 10-0 regular season — its second in four years — and winning the OCC-Ohio outright at 5-0.
Grey Kegley hit John Quartey for a 3-yard touchdown with 1:57 left.
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Grey Kegley hit John Quartey for a 3-yard touchdown with 1:57 left, and the Lions’ defense recovered four fumbles and held North to 14 rushing yards
The Lions' defense recovered four fumbles and held North to 14 rushing yards.
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and the Lions’ defense recovered four fumbles and held North to 14 rushing yards
https://www.ohsaa.org/news-media/articles/ohsaa-football-regional-first-round-playoff-pairings
Supporting evidence (6)
Gahanna Lincoln earned the top seed at 10-0.
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No. 1 Gahanna Lincoln (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
Under OHSAA tournament rules, the top four seeds in each region receive a first-round bye.
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The top four seeds in each region receive a first-round bye.
Regional first-round playoff games across the state are scheduled for Friday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m..
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Unless otherwise noted, all regional first-round games will be played on Friday, October 30, with kickoffs set for 7 p.m.
Regional quarterfinal playoff games will be played on Friday, Nov. 6.
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Regional Quarterfinal (second-round) games will be played on Friday, November 6
Gahanna Lincoln earned a bye and hosts the winner of the game between seeds 8 and 9.
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No. 1 Gahanna Lincoln (10-0), first-round bye, hosts winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9
That matchup features Olentangy Orange playing at Columbus St.
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No. 9 Lewis Center Olentangy Orange (5-5) at No. 8 Columbus St. Charles (8-2)
https://joeeitel.com/hsfoot/teams.jsp?teamID=876&year=2026
Supporting evidence (1)
The Lions are coached by Bruce Ward.
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Coach: Bruce Ward
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Ward said the defense has helped keep the team on track.
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Head coach Bruce Ward said the defense has helped keep the team on track.
"Our defense is the consistent one and the one that kind of keeps this engine rolling," Ward told CW Columbus.
Read supporting passage
“Our defense is the consistent one and the one that kind of keeps this engine rolling,” Ward said.
Ward emphasized that the roster continues to fight "no matter the situation, no matter the score, no matter the opponent."
Read supporting passage
“This team continues to fight," he said. "No matter the situation, no matter the score, no matter the opponent."