Top-ranked and district champion Lincoln Christian put on an all-around show in the regular season finale last night at Idabel, starting fast and finishing strong in a 56-0 win.

Lincoln (10-0) had 431 yards of offense in the first half, while the defense pitched the seventh shutout of the season to finish off the another district title.

The Bulldogs extended their win streak to 38, still the second-longest active streak in Oklahoma, as Lincoln aims for the three-peat in Class 3A.

It was also Lincoln's 50th straight district win, a stretch dating back to 2018.

Lincoln dominated through 3A-3 this season, winning the program's 8th straight district title by outscoring opponents 397-3 in the seven games.

The Bulldogs ran for 349 yards as a team, averaging 12.5 yards per carry in a dominant performance by the run game and the offensive line,

"I'm really proud of those guys up front," Lincoln head coach Jerry Ricke said. "We knew that we had a really experienced group coming back, and they have shown that by the consistency they play with week in and week out."

"Anytime an offense averages over 500 yards per game, you have to start with the play of the offensive line. Our running backs and quarterback would all tell you that those guys up front have been a huge factor in their success."

Junior Braeden Baker had five carries for 99 yards and two scores, while sophomore CJ Wright carried just four times for 103 yards and a score.

Senior quarterback Carter Ricke also broke loose for a 77-yard touchdown - his third 60+ yard rushing score of the year.

"I really liked the way that we ran the ball last night," said Ricke. "I thought Braeden and CJ set the tone early with some explosive runs. You throw Carter and Gabe (Huntsigner) in there, and I really like the depth in our backfield."

The Bulldog defense was suffocating once again, as Lincoln continues to make things extremely difficult on opposing offenses.

Idabel had 130 total yards, averaging just 2.8 yards per play.

"I'm really proud of the consistency and toughness that our defense has shown every week," said Ricke. "That stems from the leadership of our defensive staff and our defensive leaders in practice."

"I can't say enough about the job Coach Comfort has done in his three years leading our defense. He'd be the first to tell you that he couldn't do it without the help of Coach  (Zac) Fullingim, Coach (Lamar) Baker, and Coach (Jimmy) Landers."

The Warriors were just 3-of-11 on third down, had just 78 yards on 26 attempts rushing and were forced to punt eight times.

"I'm also really proud of guys like Lincoln Torres, Colt Monsey, Connor Rowlett, and Braeden Baker for leading us every day," said Ricke. "Those guys all take a lot of pride in the fact that we've only given up those three points in district play."

Lincoln's first score came immediately, as Baker ripped off a 50-yard TD run on the game's second play, following some great blocking and racing untouched to make it 7-0 early.

The two teams traded punts on the next two possessions, which was Lincoln's first punt since Sept. 12 in the win over Shiloh Christian.

But immediately after the Bulldogs punt, Lincoln's defense came through to set up another score.

Sophomore Isaac Beisel, the leading tackler for Lincoln, stepped in front of an errant pass from Isabel's Mack Dixon, picking it off to give the offense possession inside the Warriors' 20.

On the next play, Ricke zipped a pass over the middle to senior Hudson Farris — who had another huge game — and the speedster did the rest, scoring from 19 yards out to make it 14-0 with 5:17 left in the opening quarter.

Lincoln got the ball back after forcing another punt and this time, the Bulldogs went 80 yards quickly.

Wright ran for 10, followed by Ricke connecting with sophomore receiver Caleb Peterson for 19.

Wright ran for 13 again before Baker scored for the second time on the night, running 36 yards untouched behind great blocking from Torres downfield and Brayden McMullen out on the edge.

The six-play drive took just over two mins, as the Bulldogs stretched the lead to 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The Bulldogs' defense forced another punt after a three-and-out, allowing Lincoln to extend the lead once again.

Ricke completed four passes on the drive, including gains to McMullen, Wright and freshman Kade Wilson, before finding Farris again.

The senior ran a beautiful route and got behind the Idabel corner on a double-move, as Ricke lofted the ball right into the corner of the end zone.

The 27-yard pass and catch made it a four-touchdown lead at 28-0 with 8:40 to go in the first half.

"I can't say enough about the way Hudson Farris has come on this year," Ricke said. "We knew he had it in him, given the opportunity, and he has made the most of those this year. I thought Kade Wilson made some big plays on 3rd down, and Brayden (McMullen) and Caleb (Peterson) continue to give us plenty of options in the passing game."

Idabel moved it closer to midfield on the ensuing drive, but then backed up and was forced to punt again.

Lincoln wasted no time answering with another score, this time, on just one play.

Wright took the direct snap and followed his line, along with a host of blockers in the backfield (Rain Ragland, Huntsigner, Beisel), racing 68 yards for his first score of the night.

The sophomore showcased his speed on the long score after bouncing it outside, as the lead grew to 35-0 with 3:53 left in the half.

Idabel crossed the 50-yard line on the next possession but then went backwards, having to punt again.

Lincoln struck quickly for its final score before half, as the Bulldogs broke another big play just before the break.

Ricke took the third snap of the drive on the quarterback draw and followed some perfect blocking into the open field.

The senior spun off a tackler near midfield and broke free, racing 77 yards for his sixth rushing score of the year.

Ricke's long touchdown made it 42-0 with just 1:02 to go in the half.

The Bulldogs averaged 18 yards per play in the first half, scoring or gaining a first down on 14 of 24 plays.

The defense came out of the half and forced an immediate turnover, as Baker picked off Dixon on the second play of the 3rd quarter.

The junior nearly had a pick-six, returning it 22 yards back inside the Idabel 5-yard line to set up another score.

Ricke made an easy throw to Wright on the next play, as the sophomore was wide open after the play fake for a 3-yard score, making it 49-0 early in the 3rd.

The Bulldogs final score came on Lincoln's longest drive of the night after the defense forced another three-and-out.

Lincoln used 11 plays to go 44 yards for the score, as Ricke completed passes to Wilson and Peterson before finding Farris for the hat trick on 4th down.

Ricke ripped a ball to the senior on an in-route over the middle of the field, allowing Farris to catch, make a man miss and cross the goal line.

The 17-yard touchdown with 6:38 left in the 3rd made it 56-0.

Lincoln had 538 total yards in the win.

Ricke was 15-of-24 for 189 yards passing, while six of those nine completions went to Farris for game-high 94 yards.

Peterson had three catches for 26 yards, while Wilson caught two for 22 and Ragland had a 26-yard catch.

The Bulldogs successfully navigated two long road trips and will now be back home for the first  two rounds of the playoffs, which begin on Friday night when Lincoln hosts Jay.

"I was just telling our coaches last night, after the long trip to Idabel, that it will sure feel great being back at home," said Ricke. "I'm really proud of our kids for handling their business on the road. You worry about coming out flat and uninspired, but that was definitely not the case in the last two games. I'm really hoping that we have a great atmosphere here in the first round as we get started in the playoffs."

The Bulldogs have won 57 straight home games and are aiming for the program's 5th state championship, as the intensity increases with another chance at a gold ball in sight.

"We pretty much keep that switch flipped on all of the time. I know I say this a lot, but that stems from the consistency of effort and detail that we practice with. I do, however, expect our intensity and motivation to ratchet up as we get going here in the playoffs," Ricke said.



Photos by Lee Talley