State Final Rematch Set as Scottsbluff Defends Title in Lincoln

The 2026 Nebraska high school football state final will feature the same matchup as last year's championship game. Scottsbluff, the defending champion, will face Gage City in Lincoln. The two teams met in the 2025 final, a contest that ended in a 21-14 victory for Scottsbluff.

The path to the title game for Gage City has been altered by injury. Leader Jason Schumacher missed the season-ending injury to his knee. He was replaced by sophomore Marcus Vaughn at the quarterback position. Vaughn has completed 64 percent of his passes for 1,204 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.

Scottsbluff has maintained a strong defensive record all year. The team has allowed an average of 14.2 points per game. Their offensive line has kept the quarterback protected, leading to a 78 percent completion rate for starter Tyler Reed.

The stakes for this rematch are high for Gage City, which is seeking its first state title since the 1998 season. Last year, the team fell behind early and never recovered. This winter, the coaching staff focused on improving their red-zone efficiency, which stands at 75 percent this season.

The game is scheduled for Saturday in Lincoln. It will be the second state final appearance for both schools in three years. Last year, the loss for Gage City came by a combined seven points, a margin the team hopes to close this time.