SAN JOSE – Gripping the trophy that every Lincoln-San Jose football player dreams of winning, Kyan Phillips certainly grasped the significance of his team’s 48-24 victory over archrival San Jose.

His older brother, Tayden, had quarterbacked the Lions to two of the team’s now-27 consecutive victories over the Bulldogs in the annual slugfest of the oldest public schools in San Jose.

So possibly being part of a Lions team that lost to San Jose for the first time since 1997?

Not an option.

“I would’ve never heard the end of it,” Phillips said. “Keeping the streak alive, it’s that big of a deal. I’m glad I got to win all four years I played here.”

The Bulldogs had no answer for an uber-motivated Phillips at San Jose City College, one where Lincoln packed out the home bleachers with fans and a full band, and San Jose supporters nearly filled the other side.

The Big Bone trophy is displayed while San Jose High School and Lincoln High School face off during the annual Big Bone game at San Jose City College in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) 

Phillips ran for two touchdowns, caught a 37-yard fade down the right sideline from quarterback Luca Papoulias and returned a punt almost 50 yards for his fourth touchdown of the first half.

His two rushing scores gave Lincoln a 14-0 lead after the first quarter, and Lucas Martinez’s 20-yard touchdown run and Eric Manivong’s 17-yard sweep helped the Lions jump out to a 41-0 advantage.

“It’s always fun to win games, but this game … it’s a lot of fun,” Lincoln’s longtime coach, Kevin Collins, said. “It’s exciting, and I’m glad for the team.”

Omri Phillips, Ryan Bernwanger and Michael Whitelaw led a fleet Lincoln defense that was more than ready for the Bulldogs’ power-running attack, which often utilized three running backs and no wide receivers.

San Jose High School lines up against Lincoln High School in the second quarter during the annual Big Bone game at San Jose City College in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) 

But the determined Bulldogs did not relent.

After some tough runs by Omar Gomez and Bryan Santos behind blocks by Jayson Salguero helped the team get to midfield, Gomez launched a rainbow pass to Rolando Sanchez, who raced into the end zone as time expired to give San Jose’s fans something to cheer about.

“We don’t give up, no matter the circumstances,” San Jose coach Raul Sandoval said. “Our players are dogs. They come out, and they give 100%.”

San Jose also got a short rushing touchdown by Eden Cortes, and a touchdown pass from Cypress Funes to Gomez as the Bulldogs avoided their first shutout against Lincoln since 2022.

“I’m happy with how we fought in the second half,” San Jose sophomore Augustine Cortes said. “We have talent and potential, and this is just a bump in the road.”

Phillips led the team with 47 rushing yards, while Martinez ended the night with two rushing touchdowns after punching in a third quarter score. Lincoln finished the game with 156 rushing yards while playing mostly on short fields. Funes finished the night with 149 passing yards for San Jose.

San Jose High School’s Omar Gomez (1) runs with the ball against Lincoln’s Cole Ano (3) in the first quarter during the annual Big Bone game at San Jose City College in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) 

It was another Lincoln rout in a series filled with them.

The last two Lincoln wins had been by a combined margin of 87-0. San Jose had not triumphed since James Clarke coached the Bulldogs to a 17-7 victory in 1997. Though most of the games have been lopsided, San Jose has put up a handful of valiant challenges throughout the years. A 29-28 loss in 2014 was followed by a 7-0 defeat the next year.

The first 77 editions of the game were played on the fourth Thursday in November, the oldest Thanksgiving Day rivalry game west of Missouri. After COVID-19 caused it to be called off in 2020, the game was relocated to the second week of the season. Even with the change in timing, the Lions’ domination of the series has remained unaltered.

San Jose (1-1) will try to regroup at Silver Creek on Friday, while Lincoln (2-0) will look to keep its perfect start alive against Leland on Thursday.

San Jose High School’s Bryan Santos Cortez (0) runs with the ball against Lincoln High School in the first quarter during the annual Big Bone game at San Jose City College in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) 
A Lincoln High School football player gets stuck in the banner before a game against San Jose High School during the annual Big Bone game at San Jose City College in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) 
Lincoln High School’s marching band runs past cheerleaders before the annual Big Bone game at San Jose City College in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) 
Lincoln High School celebrates after winning against San Jose High School during the annual Big Bone game at San Jose City College in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) 
Lincoln’s Kyan Phillips II (21) kicks the ball against San Jose High School in the first quarter during the annual Big Bone game at San Jose City College in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) 
San Jose High School huddles against Lincoln High School in the first quarter during the annual Big Bone game at San Jose City College in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) 
Lincoln’s Kyan Phillips II (21) scores a touchdown against San Jose High School in the first quarter xduring the annual Big Bone game at San Jose City College in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) 
Lincoln’s Jonathan Medina (9) runs with the ball against San Jose’s Ryan Reilly (58) in the first quarter during the annual Big Bone game at San Jose City College in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) 
San Jose High School head coach Raul Sandoval speaks to the team before a game against Lincoln High School during the annual Big Bone game at San Jose City College in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) 
Lincoln High School’s football team enters the field before a game against San Jose High School during the annual Big Bone game at San Jose City College in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) 
Lincoln High School’s mascot interacts with students during the annual Big Bone game at San Jose City College in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)