Throughout the last decade, much of the history in Class 3A has been written in matchups between Lincoln Christian and Heritage Hall.

The two schools will write another chapter this Friday, the second edition in 2024, as the No. 1 Bulldogs and No. 2 Chargers will meet in the semifinals at Prague High School.

Lincoln (12-0) beat Heritage Hall (11-1) in early September 28-20, the first regular season matchup ever between the two powerhouses.

The programs also faced off in last year's 3A state title game, where Lincoln scored 41 unanswered points to erase a 28-7 deficit in the 2nd quarter to win the school's 3rd championship.

A similar scenario played out earlier this year, as Heritage Hall took a 20-7 lead into half time.

But Lincoln came out and dominated up front on both sides of the ball, as the Bulldogs ran 18 times for 108 yards in the 2nd half, while junior quarterback Carter Ricke completed some big time passes to set up the three 2nd half touchdowns.

Lincoln overcame a rough start that included six first half penalties for 60 yards and two turnovers to trail at halftime.

"You can look at that first game and get some do's and don'ts, but I think both teams have probably changed so much that you have to consider that. We have great respect for the Heritage Hall program, their coaches, and their players," said Lincoln head coach Jerry Ricke.

The win moved Lincoln to 2-0 on the young season and Bulldogs took off from there.

Lincoln beat the No. 2 team from Class 6A in Arkansas, Shiloh Christian, 38-14 at home the following week.

Since then, the Bulldogs ripped off seven district wins and two more playoff victories —all by 42 points or more to arrive at Friday's matchup.

The Bulldogs rolled to a 49-7 win last week over No. 5 Pauls Valley in the quarterfinals, extending their win streak to 26 straight.

It was also the 47th win in a row at Dennis Byrd Stadium for Lincoln.

Heritage Hall has not lost since the September matchup, either, albeit not without some close calls.

The Chargers survived in a close game at Millwood two weeks later, winning 28-25 to wrap up their non-district slate.

Heritage Hall also skated by with narrow wins in district play, coming from behind to win at Plainview in overtime 28-21, and beating Pauls Valley on the road 41-36 a week later.

Heritage Hall beat Seminole 43-20 in the opening round of the playoffs before pulling away late in a 43-21 win over Holland Hall last week in the quarterfinals. 

Lincoln has won the last five meetings over Heritage Hall after losing the first three.

Along with this season's win and the victory in last year's title game, Lincoln also beat the Chargers in three straight semifinal matchups.

Lincoln won 33-6 in 2019, followed by a 35-27 win in 2020. The Bulldogs also beat the Chargers in the 2021 semifinals, winning 27-20. 

"We have had some great games in the last few years and I expect that will be the case this coming Friday. I know our players are excited for this opportunity," Ricke said.

Lincoln will look to advance to its 5th state title game in six years. 

Heritage Hall has eight state titles, including five in the last 10 years.

Kickoff is Friday at 7 p.m.

OFFENSIVE PREVIEW

Lincoln was once again firing on all cylinders in last week's win over Pauls Valley, as the offense raced out to 390 first half yards.

Ricke was brilliant, as usual, for the Bulldogs, finishing 16-of-22 for 289 yards and four scores.

The junior has been one of the best passers in the state, regardless of class, as he currently sits with 2,613 yards and 40 touchdowns to just six interceptions. He has also completed 76% of his passes.

Ricke was 14-of-21 for 206 yards and a score in the early season win over Heritage Hall. Two of his interceptions came in that game, but the junior also had a season-high 35 yards rushing on seven carries.

Senior receiver Kylan Schultheis had an outstanding final home game at Dennis Byrd Stadium, continuing his strong season.

Schultheis had nine catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns in the quarterfinal win over Pauls Valley. 

On the season, Schultheis has 52 grabs for 950 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Fellow senior receiver opposite of him, Jack Milligan, also got into the end zone for Lincoln in Friday night's win.

Milligan had two catches for 33 yards and a score. He is up to 31 catches for 530 yards and nine scores in his final season as a Bulldog.

The Bulldogs were also dominant on the ground, as they have been all year.

Lincoln ran for 246 yards in the win, averaging 6.2 yards per carry.

The Bulldogs has eclipsed 246 yards or more rushing as as team in seven of 12 games.

Sophomore Braeden Baker led the way on the ground, running for 62 yards and a score on just five carries. He also added three catches for 68 yards and a touchdown as a receiver.

On the year, Baker is Lincoln's leading rusher with 742 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging 9.5 yards per carry. He has also caught 16 passes for 328 yards and four scores.

Senior Dawson Fullingim had eight carries for 45 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Pauls Valley.

Starring on both sides of the ball, Fullingim has been a rock for Lincoln in the backfield, as he's up to 511 yards and 11 touchdowns on 7.7 yards per carry. Fullingim has also added 10 catches for 235 yards and three scores as a pass catcher.

Freshman CJ Wright had his most quiet game in a while last week, carrying only three times for 37 yards.

But the youngster has had an incredible season in his varsity debut, as he's totaled 665 yards and nine scores rushing, averaging a ridiculous 11.3 yards per carry.

Wright has also been a big-play weapon as a receiver, as he is used all over the field. He's caught 14 passes for 322 yards and six scores in 12 games this season.

Heritage Hall will lean on linebacker Barrett Travis, defensive lineman David Griffin and defensive backs, Jerrod Williams and Terrance Johnson.

Travis, the Chargers top player on both sides of the ball, had seven tackles and a sack in last week's win over Holland Hall.

Williams had two interceptions in the Chargers early season loss to Lincoln.

The Chargers are allowing 20 points per game in 2024. They have allowed 20 points or more in nine of 12 games.

DEFENSIVE PREVIEW

Lincoln will have its toughest test since early September this week, when the Bulldogs face a potent offense from No. 2 Heritage Hall.

But the Chargers will have a tough task, as well. 

Lincoln has allowed just 95 points in 12 games, including just 61 in the last 10 games. 

The first-team unit has allowed just one touchdown since the Bulldogs' 38-14 victory over Shiloh Christian on Sept. 13.

The Bulldogs front seven was wrecking havoc last week, as Lincoln had six sacks in the win over Pauls Valley and allowed just 77 yards rushing from an impressive Panthers ground attack (2.7 yards per carry).

Junior Connor Rowlett ed the defense with six tackles, while senior Mason Torres had five in his final home game.

Torres, the captain of the Lincoln defense, leads the Bulldogs with 70 tackles on the year. He also has a team-high five interceptions and two forced fumbles. He had two interceptions in the early season win over Heritage Hall, including the game-sealing one with 40 seconds to go.

Rowlett, a versatile defender for Lincoln, has 38 tackles on the year to go along with 2.5 sacks from his linebacker position.

Baker, Fullingim and Hudson Farris each had five tackles for Lincoln in the win over Pauls Valley. Fullingim and sophomore Colt Monsey each finished with two sacks.

Baker has been great on defense for Lincoln in 2024, as he has 42 tackles on the year.

Fullingim has been a key part of a dominant front three-man unit for Lincoln, as the senior has 35 tackles, 10 for loss, to go along with three sacks in 12 games.

Farris has 20 tackles and leads the Bulldogs with 10 pass break ups on the year from his spot at corner.

Monsey has 22 tackles for Lincoln on the year and is second on the team with five sacks.

Sophomore Rain Ragland the team leader in sacks, added another sack to his total in the win over Pauls Valley last Friday. Ragland has 33 tackles and a team-high eight sacks in 12 games, with one coming against Heritage Hall back in September. 

Another defensive lineman that has played a huge role is sophomore Lincoln Torres, who has 29 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble from his spot up front.

Senior linebackers Creed Nail and Micah Kruse have played huge roles for Lincoln this season as a part of the athletic linebacking crew.

Nail has 50 tackles in his final season as a Bulldog, including 12 for loss. He also has an interception, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.

Kruse has 21 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in 2024.

Schultheis and sophomore Brett Kaste have been great for Lincoln in the secondary.

Kaste is second on the team with four interceptions, to go along with 18 tackles and a fumble recovery and forced fumble as a safety. He had an interception in the win over Heritage Hall earlier this season.

Schultheis has 32 tackles and two interceptions at corner, along with eight pass breakups.

The Bulldogs will have their hands full with Travis, who had a monster game last week against Holland Hall.

Along with an 89-yard kick return TD, Travis had 341 yards on 34 carries and four touchdowns rushing against Holland Hall.

He had 188 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries in the opening round win over Seminole.

Travis had 12 carries for 130 yards and a receiving touchdown against Lincoln earlier this season.
Williams is the top receiving threat for Heritage Hall, and fans may remember his big game against the Bulldogs back in September. 

The speedy deep threat had eight catches for 195 yards and two touchdowns, including a 99-yard score early in the game.

Heritage Hall averages 38 points per game in 2024, and the Chargers have scored 28 points or more in every game aside from the season opening loss to Lincoln.

Photos by Lee Talley