Silkowski looks back at top wins during tenure as LCHS head football coach

[October 16, 2025]  NOTE: This is the second installment of a three-part feature looking at Railer football coach Matt Silkowski’s 10-year tenure as head coach. Part 1 of this series (published October 15) looked at some of the events leading up to him being hired for the position; today’s installment looks at what transpired on the field.

When Silkowski arrived at Lincoln, he inherited a football program that had been winless each of the previous three seasons. In his 10 years at the helm, the Railers have won 27 games and earned a playoff berth in 2023.

When asked to list the Top 5 Railer football wins during his time as head coach, Silkowski listed the following:

Honorable mention: August 25, 2017 – Lincoln 7, Macomb 6
First half video Second half video Lincoln Daily News article

Another trivia note for Railer football fans: it was in this game that all-time LCHS touchdown leader Ki’on Carson scored the first touchdown of his Railer football career.

Comment from Coach Silkowski: “We won in Week 1. I think that was the first time in 10 years we started 1-0.”

Honorable mention: September 28, 2018 – Lincoln 26, Charleston 25
First half video Second half video Lincoln Daily News article

With the win, the Railers spoiled homecoming night for Charleston.

Comment from Coach Silkowski: “We won on the last play of the game. Colton Holliday caught a pass from Dreyden Pozsgai on the last play of the game.”

Honorable mention: October 18, 2019 – Lincoln 29, Mattoon 28
Full game video Lincoln Daily News article

This win on Senior Night moved Lincoln’s overall record to 3-5 on the season.

Comment from Coach Silkowski: “That was in overtime. Alex Bogdanic scored…and then Jayden Pollice caught a two-point conversion.”

Honorable mention: October 1, 2021 – Lincoln 35, Mattoon 34
Full game video Lincoln Daily News article

Lincoln had two players break the 100-yard mark rushing in this game, as Ki’on Carson led the Railers with 121 yards on 14 carries and Elijah Pollice tallied 112 on 9 attempts.

Comment from Coach Silkowski: “We were down a couple scores, then we were up a couple scores. We only called three pass plays; we ran the ball very well that night.”

Honorable mention: October 14, 2022 – Lincoln 52, Taylorville 19
Full game video Lincoln Daily News article

The Railers got one of their touchdowns late on a halfback option pass from Ki’on Carson to Colby Glenn.

Comment from Coach Silkowski: “That was the first night we wore the red jerseys. That was in the mud; that was fun.”

[to top of second column]

No. 5: September 3, 2021 – Lincoln 14, Charleston 6
Full game video Lincoln Daily News article

This was Lincoln’s second game of the season and moved the Railers’ record to 2-0 for the first time in a long while.

Comment from Coach Silkowski: “That Charleston win, that’s probably one of my favorite ones. In the spring [the spring Covid season of 2020], they just totally destroyed us [Charleston defeated Lincoln 54-0]. For us to come back four months later and win that game, that was huge.”

No. 4: September 27, 2019 – Lincoln 31, Collinsville 28
First half videoSecond half video Lincoln Daily News article

The game started on September 27 but was halted due to inclement weather.

Comment from Coach Silkowski: “That was a huge one. That night, Kameron Whiteman set the school record for receptions in a game.”

The Railers picked up the victory on September 28.

No. 3: October 4, 2024 – Lincoln 43, MacArthur 33
Full game video Lincoln Daily News article

In the game, Lincoln outgained MacArthur in total offensive yardage, 516 to 364. The Railers had three players surpass the 100 yard rushing mark: Gabe Smith (141 yards on 14 carries), Tate Johnston (111 yards on 20 carries) and Paytan Bunner (107 yards on 21 carries).

Comment from Coach Silkowski: “That was a big win for us. They were super athletic and really big up front. Our kids definitely rose to the occasion that night.”

No. 2: October 7, 2016 – Lincoln 21, Lanphier 20
First half video Second half video Lincoln Daily News article

This was the game that broke the losing streak. It was Silkowski’s first win as Railer football coach and it was the program’s first win since 2012.

Comment from Coach Silkowski: “I remember we came back inside after the game, and just the thrill and the excitement of our kids…it was awesome.”

No. 1: September 29, 2023 – Lincoln 41, Jacksonville 28
Full game video Lincoln Daily News article

This victory was Lincoln’s fifth on the season, and made the Railers playoff eligible for the first time since 1984.

Comment from Coach Silkowski: “Our kids just played the game of their lives. We had zero penalties, which was huge. Our kids, in all three phases of the game that night…when they had an opportunity to make a play, they made a play.”

With a look at the beginning of Silkowski’s tenure in Part 1, and highlights from the team’s play on the field in this installment, Part 3 will look some of Silkowski’s plans for the transition to a new coach as well as his hopes for the future of the program.

[Loyd Kirby]

 

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