After a big win over Heritage Hall in a state title game rematch, No. 1 Lincoln Christian will open the home schedule with another tough matchup when it hosts Shiloh Christian (Ark.) Friday night.

The Bulldogs, who were on the road twice to open the season, beat No. 2 Heritage Hall 28-20 last Friday and will look to extend their 16-game win streak at home this week.

Lincoln (2-0) will host Shiloh Christian (2-0) for the 5th match up all-time between the two programs.

The Saints won the first three match ups between the two schools in 2008, 2009 and 2022, before Lincoln won 20-14 last September.

The 42-35 thriller in Arkansas in 2022 was Lincoln's only regular season loss since 2018.

"They are one of the best programs in Arkansas and expect to win no matter who they play," said Lincoln head coach Jerry Ricke. "We are going to have to be sound on both sides of the ball."

Shiloh has won eight state titles since 1998 and was a state runner-up the past two years. 

Shiloh, ranked No. 2 in Arkansas' Class 6A, is coached by Tucker Barnard, who led Stillwater to the 6A-2 title in 2022.

"They are a great program and this should be another great game," said Ricke. "Our kids are excited for the opportunity."

The Saints won at #5 (7A) Little Rock Christian 44-40 last week after trailing by 11 entering the 4th quarter.

Lincoln opened the 2024 season with a 56-0 win at No. 6 Victory Christian.

Kickoff on Friday at Dennis Byrd Stadium/Willie George Field is set for 7 p.m.

OFFENSE

Shiloh returns a lot of weapons on offense, led by sophomore running back Griffin Mason.

Mason (5-foot-10, 210) has had two outstanding games to start the 2024 season, helping the Saints to two big wins.

He ran 39 times for 304 yards and a touchdown in last week's win at Little Rock Christian.

The week before, Mason carried just 11 times for 142 yards and four TDs, while also completing a 70-yard TD pass and catching two balls for 20 yards.

"He is a really, really good player," said Ricke. "He will be one of the best running backs we see this year."

Another sophomore, Cole Creighton, leads the Saints at quarterback, although he was injured and unable to finish the game last week.

Creighton (5-foot-10, 180) was replaced by sophomore Jake Bodenstein, who threw two touchdown passes in relief during Shiloh's dramatic win.

The top target for Shiloh is junior receiver Chandler Kemp.

Kemp (5-foot-11, 173) had an impressive game in last Friday's win, catching 10 passes for 166 yards and three scores.

"He is a good receiver and does a great job making plays on the ball," said Ricke.

Senior Dalton Carnes (5-foot-11, 160) and junior Zane Sluyter (6-foot-2, 164) will be two other targets for Creighton or Bodenstien in the Saints' offense.

Senior Carter Henley (6-foot-1, 238) will be a weapon at tight end for Shiloh, as will freshman running back Max Eldridge, who scored twice in last week's win.

The offensive line is led by four upperclassmen, including three seniors in guards Andrew Dawson (6-foot-1, 247) and Ben Carlyle (5-foot-11, 226) and tackle Zack Weeks (6-foot, 230), as well as junior tackle Maddox Welborn (6-foot-4, 238).

"They do a great job up front and are looking to run the ball behind their offensive line," said Ricke.

Senior linebacker Mason Torres has a team-leading 14 tackles, three interceptions, a sack and a forced fumble through two games.

Sophomore Rain Ragland had two big sacks last week, while senior Dawson Fullingim has 11 tacles, three for loss, and a sack to start the year.

DEFENSE

On the other side of the ball, the Saints are led by former Tulsa World Defensive Player of the Year finalist Hudson Ball.

Ball previously played at Jenks but moved over to Shiloh Christian over the summer.

The 6-foot-2, 247 lb. senior is a force at defensive end and is committed to UNLV.

"They are very well coached on defense and don't make a lot of mistakes," said Ricke.

Shiloh will run a 3-3-5 defense on Friday night.

Henley, whose brother currently plays at Arkansas, also starts at middle linebacker and thrives as the leader of the Saints' defense.

"He is really good at linebacker and is the quarterback of their defense," Ricke said.

Senior Sid Scott (6-foot-1, 247) will man the middle at nose, while junior Aiden Pullin (5-foot-11, 252) will plain the other side at defensive end, both of which are back from a year ago.

Senior Tristen Carpenter (6-foot, 168) is a solid outside linebacker and a returning starter for Shiloh, as is junior safety AJ Ylanan (6-foot-1, 182).

Offensively, the Bulldogs will look to build on the momentum they had last week in the 2nd half comeback win at Heritage Hall.

Junior quarterback Carter Ricke has thrown for 351 yards and four TDs in the first two games, to go along with eight carries for 44 yards and a rushing score.

Fullingim has 18 carries for 107 yards and two scores on the ground through the first two weeks, as well as three grabs for 104 yards and a score.

Sophomore Braeden Baker has also run 18 times for 152 yards and a touchdown on the young season. Freshman CJ Wright has 11 carries for 99 yards and a score.

Senior receiver Kylan Schultheis has been Ricke's top target, hauling in six passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns.