No. 1 Lincoln Christian continued its dominant run through district play on Thursday night, as the Bulldogs rolled Checotah 56-0 in the final home regular season game of 2025.

The Bulldogs were in complete control on both sides of the ball, as the offense gained 12.7 yards per play and the defense smothered the Wildcats, allowing just 44 total yards.

Lincoln (8-0, 5-0) pushed its win streak to 36, which is the second-longest active streak in the state.

The Bulldogs, who are aiming for their 8th straight district title, 8th straight state semifinal appearance and Class 3A three-peat, moved to 9-0 all-time against Checotah.

"I really liked the focus and intensity we displayed on both sides of the ball and our special teams last night," said Lincoln head coach Jerry Ricke. "I was really pleased with the way that we tackled and slowed down their run game."

"Offensively, we executed very well in both running and throwing the ball. And of course, I always appreciate what Cooper Housley continues to do for us in the kicking game, pinning the opponent deep in their own territory."

Lincoln was in complete control from the jump and that continued throughout an impressive opening half.

The Bulldogs forced a 3-and-out to open the game before striking almost immediately .

Junior running back Braeden Baker broke loose on the Bulldogs' second play from scrimmage, racing 54 yards to the house, putting Lincoln up 7-0 less than two minutes into the game.

The Bulldogs backed Cheoctah up again and forced a short punt to get great field position for the offense's second drive.

Lincoln needed just four plays to score, as senior quarterback Carter Ricke connected with freshman receiver Kade Wilson over the middle, as the youngster made the diving catch for a 16-yard score.

"I was really happy for Kade Wilson catching a touchdown pass last night," said Ricke. "He is just a freshman who has used his time in practice and JV games to give us and Carter confidence in him. I was also happy for seniors Liam Anderson, Ethan Uyetake, and Connor Rowlett for catching passes thrown their way."

The Bulldogs led 14-0 with 6:19 left in the opening quarter.

After another 3-and-out forced by the Lincoln defense, Ricke and the passing attack got back to work

The senior found classmate and leading receiver Hudson Farris for 13 yards before the two connected two plays later for another touchdown.

Ricke zipped a pass over the middle to Farris, who hauled it in and avoided a Checotah defender, racing untouched for a 45-yard touchdown — his 5th of the year.

Ricke's second passing TD of the night made it 21-0 with 3:21 to go in the 1st.

"Hudson was very productive last night, and I really like the confidence that he is playing with right now," said the head coach Ricke. "Carter has a lot of confidence throwing it his way, and you can see the continuity those two have."

Checotah moved it across midfield but didn't get much further before being forced to punt again.

Lincoln wasted no time moving out of being backed up inside the 20, as Baker ran for 13 yards and Ricke found senior receiver Ethan Uyetake for 11 yards to move it near the Bulldogs' 40.

Three plays later, Ricke kept it himself on 3rd and 8, followed some great blocking and outran the Checotah defense for a 60-yard TD scamper. 

His 5th rushing score of the season put Lincoln up 28-0 with 8:40 to go in the half.

After Housley pinned the Wildcats at their own 2-yard line, Lincoln quickly added to its lead, as junior defensive lineman Colt Monsey pounced on a fumble on Chectoah's first snap of the ensuing drive.

The turnover gave the Bulldogs the ball back at the 3-yard line, where Baker scored two plays later, pushing the lead to five touchdowns at the 8:16 mark in the 2nd quarter.

Checotah picked up a first down but was quickly forced to punt after that, allowing Lincoln to get the ball back and sophomore CJ Wright to take over for the remainder of the first half.

Wright took a pop pass from Ricke after coming in jet motion and the speedster said goodbye, flying around the edge and past the Checotah for a 60-yard score.

His 11th touchdown of the year stretched the lead to 42-0 with 4:22 to go in the 2nd quarter.

And he wasn't done yet.

Just two plays later, Wright made a perfect read from his safety spot, jumping a crossing route to pick off Checotah's Eli Patterson.

Wright weaved back through traffic and coasted into the end zone for the 30-yard pick six with 3:52 to go in the half.

Wright's 30 seconds of brilliance and Lincoln's 4th pick six in the last three weeks put the Bulldogs up 49-0 at half.

The Bulldogs continue to display clean, efficient and nearly perfect football offensively, as Lincoln has not punted since its third game in early Sept. and has just one turnover in district play.

"We have to continue to pay attention to the little details and sharpen up our techniques in all areas," said Ricke. I'm really proud of my coaching staff for continuing to stress the fundamentals in practice."

Lincoln has also been tremendous on defense, allowing just a three total points and holding opponents to just 8-of-53 (15%) on 3rd down in the five 3A-3 games.

"Obviously, it is beneficial to see those things play out on Friday nights, so I think our kids see the importance of having those great daily habits. If we can stay sharp in the fundamentals and the little things, hopefully we can keep that momentum rolling," said Ricke.

Lincoln's last score of the night came on the opening drive of the 3rd quarter, where Ricke and Farris showed off one final time on senior night.

Ricke found Farris on a crosser again, this time for 38 yards to start the possession and move it inside the Chectoah 35-yard line.

After the senior quarterback connected with Uyetake, Anderson and Rowlett on three consecutive plays, he went back to his favorite target for their second score of the night.

Ricke pulled it on an RPO and put it right on Farris coming across the middle, allowing the speedy senior to outrun the Checotah defense for a 23-yard touchdown with six minutes left in the 3rd.

It was Lincoln's 56th straight home win and 48th consecutive district win — both dating back over seven years.

"There is a major sense of pride when we play on our home field," Ricke said. "I talked about it right before we went out to play. We have a tradition and standard of the way we play, with relentlessness, grit, and determination."

"We really want that to be apparent when we take the field, especially on our home turf. I'm really proud of our seniors for being a part of this streak and for leading our team in those standards last night."

Lincoln finished with 483 total yards on just 38 plays. The Bulldogs rushed for 243 yards on just 22 attempts.

Ricke was 12-of-16 on senior night for 240 yards and the four touchdowns. 

Farris had six grabs for 134 yards in the win. 

Lincoln held Checotah to 0-of-6 on 3rd down and allowed just 18 rushing yards on 26 attempts. 

Junior defensive lineman Lincoln Torres was dominant once again, totaling five tackles, all for lss, and a sack in the Bulldogs' win.

Sophomore linebacker Isaac Beisel has a team-high six tackles, while junior linebacker Parker Rodgers finished with four stops.

The Bulldogs forced three turnovers in the win, moving their total to 15 on the year.

Lincoln will be on the road for the Bulldogs' final two district games, as the team travels to Eufaula on Friday before closing out the season at Idabel on Nov. 7.

Photos by Lee Talley