Top-Ranked Bulldogs Shutout Rival Holland Hall 55-0

No. 1 Lincoln Christian continued its early season dominance on Friday night, this time on the road at rival Holland Hall, as the Bulldogs shut out the Dutch 55-0.

The Bulldogs (5-0, 2-0) extended their win streak to 19 straight by gaining 541yards offensively and holding the Dutch to just 70 yards total.

Lincoln got off to a fast start, forcing three first half turnovers and scoring on all six offensive drives.

"I was obviously very pleased with our start on both sides of the ball," said Lincoln head coach Jerry Ricke. "Our guys were excited for this game and I think that showed. We had a very business like approach this week in practice and I think you saw that early last night."

Carter Ricke was outstanding for the second straight week at quarterback, as the junior finished 14-of-18 for 187 yards and four touchdowns.

Senior receivers Jack Milligan and Kylan Schultheis each had big games, as the passing attack continues to thrive.

Milligan had four catches for 55 yards and two touchdowns, while Schultheis caught five passes for 54 yards and a score.

"The passing game continues to improve with every week," Ricke said. "I really like the depth we have at receiver and that showed last night. We keep building trust with Carter and his receivers and that has helped in our execution."

Lincoln's rushing attack was on full display, as well.

The Bulldogs rushed for 354 yards as a team, averaging 9.3 yards per carry in the win behind an offensive line that keeps improving each week.

"We continue to grow in our effort and technique," Ricke said. "I like the way these guys want to learn in practice and film sessions. We have a lot of things we can clean up but I'm pleased with where we are at."

The Bulldogs got their first turnover on the opening possession of the game, as the Lincoln defensive line pressured and hit Holland Hall quarterback Trey Burleson, forcing an errant throw that Schultheis picked off and returned across midfield.

Six plays later, Lincoln sophomore running back Braeden Baker found the edge and stiff-armed a defender on an 11-yard touchdown run, making it 7-0 with 8:32 to go in the 1st.

The Lincoln defense, which held Holland Hall to just 2-of-10 on 3rd downs, forced a punt after the Dutch reached midfield, allowing the offense to extend the lead.

A good mix of pass and run moved the ball inside Holland Hall territory, before freshman CJ Wright housed an untouched outside handoff for a 29-yard score.

The 8-play, 83-yard drive took 3:46 and Lincoln led 14-0 with 4:05 left in the opening quarter.

The defense came up with another turnover almost immediately, as a host of Bulldogs tackled Holland Hall's Weston Brookhart, who entered the game for Burleson after the starter left on the opening drive with an injury.

The ball popped loose as the Bulldogs wrestled Brookhart to the ground and Lincoln senior linebacker Creed Nail pounced on it, giving the offense possession back at the Holland Hall 28.

"We constantly preach about turnovers in practice," Ricke said. "Our defense has done a great job turning the other team over. I think Coach Comfort has given us a defensive game plan that allows us to be opportunistic."

Three plays later, Ricke threw a perfect pass to the pylon, where Schultheis made a tip-toe catch in the front corner of the end zone for a 13-yard score.

Lincoln led 20-0 with 11:53 left in the half.

The defense forced another punt after a 3-and-out, as the Bulldogs defensive line continued to dominate the game, constantly stonewalling the run and rushing the passer with the front three.

"They all play with relentless effort and that happens daily in practice," Ricke said. "Coach (Zach) Fullingim demands great effort and it shows up on Friday night. We have good depth there as well and that allows us to keep those guys fresh."

Lincoln would extend the lead just three minutes later, as Ricke found Milligan in the back corner of the end zone.

The pass was in the perfect spot, where only Milligan could get to it, as the senior jumped up and hauled it in with one hand.

The 21-yard connection made it 27-0 with 8:04 left in the half.

The Bulldogs weren't done forcing turnovers yet, as sophomore Brett Kaste got in on the action.

Brookhart was forced out of the pocket and sailed a pass long, as Kaste caught it in stride and raced 27 yards to the Holland Hall 12.

On the following play, Ricke escaped the pocket, rolled left and threw across his body to senior running back Dawson Fullingim, who made another incredible catch.

The big running back showed off his athleticism, hauling in the pass while falling out of the end zone, getting both feet in for the 12-yard score.

Lincoln led 34-0 with 3:41 remaining in the 2nd quarter.

After another 3-and-out and nothing allowed by the Bulldogs' defense, Lincoln went back to the air to push the lead out further.

Ricke completed passes of 17 and nine yards to Schultheis, as well as a 17-yard pickup to Milligan to get inside the Holland Hall 10.

Two plays later, Ricke found Milligan for the second time on the night, as the senior flipped around in the front corner of the end zone, where Ricke put a perfect back shoulder throw on him for the easy score.

The touchdown was the final score of the opening half, making it 41-0.

Lincoln had 288 yards in the first half on just 29 plays, while the Bulldogs held Holland Hall to just 48 yards on 23 plays.

The teams traded possessions to open the 3rd quarter, before the Lincoln offense went on another drive.

The Bulldogs marched 72 yards in eight plays, as Baker and Wright combined for 56 yards rushing on the possession.

Senior quarterback Titan Price cashed in from seven yards out for his 3rd touchdown of the season, as Lincoln extended the lead to 48-0 with 3:23 left in the 3rd quarter.

Another 3-and-out forced by the Lincoln defense gave the ball back to the Bulldogs second unit on offense, and the youngsters showed what they could do on the final scoring drive of the evening.

The Bulldogs went on a 6-play, 74-yard drive that spanned just over four minutes.

Price ran for 51 yards and Gabe Huntsinger gained 26 on the drive, before freshman quarterback Brayden McMullen found the end zone for his 1st career score.

McMullen ran it in from 21 yards out to close out the scoring with 11:05 left in the game.

Lincoln had 27 first downs, while the defense held the Dutch to just four.