The day has finally come.

Here we are again.

It'll be No. 1 Lincoln Christian vs. No. 2 Sulphur — for a gold ball.

A rematch of last year's Class 3A state title awaits on Saturday, as the two undefeated teams that have been on a collision course all season will finally square off.

After last year's classic that ended in a 28-27 win and Lincoln's second straight state title, both Bulldogs have run the table, winning most games convincingly to set up Saturday afternoon's heavyweight matchup.

"Both teams are very similar to last year. Both teams play with relentless effort and are very physical. Both teams rely on their running games and their defenses, so I think you'll see a smash-mouth football game, similar to last year. 

"We are expecting a great effort from both teams, which will more than likely lead to another great battle."

Lincoln comes in looking for the three-peat and the program's 5th state title. The Bulldogs are playing in the state championship for the 6th time in seven years.

"We are very appreciative and humbled to be back in the state championship," said Ricke. "We know that it is very difficult to play in these games, so we take nothing for granted. Our kids are excited to be here, and I expect them to be locked in against a great opponent."

The Bulldogs have won 41 straight games — including 36 by double digits after last week's 28-7 semifinal win over Heritage Hall.

It's the second-longest active win streak in Oklahoma and is the 6th longest all time in 11-man football.

Lincoln has nine shutouts in 2025 and has held 25 opponents to eight points or less during the 41-game streak.

It will be the 6th meeting all-time between the two programs, where Lincoln is 5-0. All five matchups have come in the playoffs and it is the 4th meeting between the two teams in the last five years.

The two head coaches expressed an impressive amount of respect for one another at Tuesday's championship week press conferences in Edmond hosted by the OSSAA.

Both complimented one another and spoke about the similarities and likeness of the two team's approaches, including Ricke's comments on Sulphur's program.

"They are a fantastic football team," said Ricke. "We know each other pretty well after playing the last few years. They play the game the right way. They play hard every play, they tackle well and they are very physical."

"They are smart football players. They understand what their coaches want them to do and they go out and execute exactly that."

Cole reciprocated the respect for the program the Ricke has built and how Lincoln plays each week.

"They have the formula for winning big time football games and they do things the right way," said Cole. "They are very physical. They are tough and physical in the trenches. And a lot of times people don't understand that."

"They play aggressively and play the game the right way. It starts with Coach Ricke and his coaching staff. They demand excellence and they get it each and every week."

After last year's classic that went down to the wire, Ricke believes both teams will be more comfortable going into this year's title game, which is slated for the rare daytime kickoff.

"I think the biggest difference is that both teams are going to know what to expect from each other on this stage," he said. "I think that the game, being a noon kick-off, will be great, because you basically get up, get on the bus, and go play. I think the state championship game experience is always something that I hope our kids never forget."

Sulphur is 25-2 across the last two seasons and is playing in the program's 6th state championship game.

The Bulldogs are 17-9 in the playoffs since 2017.

Lincoln is 91-4 across the last six seasons and is 102-6 since the start of 2018. The Bulldogs has won 11 straight playoff games and is 25-4 in the playoffs over the last eight seasons.

For Ricke and his team — it's not complicated. They have earned the right to be here, once again, and will cherish being able to play for another championship on Saturday.

"Our message is pretty simple," Ricke said. "We earned the right to play in this game. Nothing was given to us. We earned this opportunity from our off-season program, Summer Pride, and throughout our practices. Our guys work extremely hard and know that through hard work and grit, they are able to be blessed with opportunities like this."

No. 1 Lincoln Christian vs. No. 2 Sulphur

Saturday, Dec. 13 — Noon

Chad Richison Stadium — University of Central Oklahoma — Edmond, OK

6th meeting in all-time series — Lincoln leads 5-0

WATCH HERE

OFFENSIVE PREVIEW

Lincoln made no mistake about it last week, as the Bulldogs dominated the line of scrimmage to advance to the program's 6th state championship in seven years.

The Bulldogs ran for 413 yards as a team for the second straight year in the state semifinal win over Heritage Hall.

Senior quarterback Carter Ricke, junior running back Braeden Baker and sophomore running back CJ Wright combined to carry all 54 times for the Bulldogs.

Ricke ran 17 times for 123 yards and a score, while Wright carried 14 times for 130 yards and a touchdown.

"I believe that it is always important to be able to run the football and stop the run in this type of game," Ricke said. "Our offense clicks when we run the ball well. I think that Sulphur will have a similar mindset."

Baker led the way for Lincoln, running 23 time for 160 yards and two TDs.

Ricke has been outstanding as a leader at the quarterback position for Lincoln during his senior season.

He's completed 73% of passes for 2,581 yards and 40 touchdowns, while throwing just five picks.

Ricke has 512 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 11.6 yards per carry.

Baker is the leading rusher for Lincoln, as the junior has totaled 1,158 yards and 25 touchdowns, averaging 10.7 yards per carry. 

He's also been a threat in the passing game as a receiver, catching 19 passes for 244 yards and five touchdowns.

Wright has been just as good, totaling 889 yards and nine TDs on the ground, averaging an astounding 15.1 yards per carry. 

The sophomore is a huge weapon in the passing game, either from the backfield or out wide, as he's hauled in 27 passes for 308 yards and eight touchdowns.

Lincoln's top receiver is senior Hudson Farris, who is having an outstanding senior season.

Farris has a team-high 45 catches for 936 yards and 12 touchdowns, as his run after the catch has been huge for the Lincoln offense.

The Bulldogs also got junior Brett Kaste back at receiver last week. Kaste missed five games with an injury, but prior to that, had 20 catches for 479 yards and five touchdowns.

Lincoln also has two sophomores at receiver that have made big plays at times in Caleb Peterson and Brayden McMullen.

Peterson has 17 catches for 243 yards and two scores, while McMullen has just eight catches but for 207 yards and three touchdowns.

Sulphur allows just 11 points per game and has given up 14 or less in nine of 13 games.

The Bulldogs are led defensively by senior safety Maddax Mobly and senior linebacker Kash Pickett.

Mobly has 94 tackles, a team-high four interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

Pickett leads the team with 140 tackles. He has 12 tackles for loss and three sacks.

Lincoln averages 288 rushing yards per game and 10.5 yards per attempt behind the dominant offensive line of seniors TH Harrell and Carson Elix, as well as juniors Lincoln Torres, Colt Monsey and Kaden Claybrook.

The Bulldogs average 52 points and 501 yards per game offensively. Lincoln is averaging 11.7 yards per play and has punted just four times since Sept. 12.

DEFENSIVE PREVIEW

No team in the state of Oklahoma has allowed less points than Lincoln Christian in 2025.

And last week, the Bulldogs gave up just one score in the semifinal win over Heritage Hall, as the entire defense continued its strong play.

Lincoln limited Heritage Hall to just 223 total yards and only 31 yards on the ground, while also forcing two turnovers.

The Bulldogs have allowed just 49 points through 13 games this season, including only 16 to Class 3A teams.

Lincoln has held opponents to just a 21% conversion rate on 3rd down and has allowed just one touchdown since Sept. 12.

The Bulldogs are led by the big three up front — the junior trio of defensive linemen Lincoln Torres, Colt Monsey and Rain Ragland.

Torres has 56 tackles for Lincoln this season, along with a team-high 22 tackles for loss and a team-high seven sacks.

Monsey has been outstanding, as well, totaling 37 tackles, including 11 for loss, with three sacks and two fumble recoveries.

Ragland has 25 tackles in just eight games, along with nine tackles for loss, three sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Sophomore Isaac Beisel leads an athletic linebacker group with 71 tackles on the year. He also has 11 tackles for loss, five sacks, a fumble recovery and an interception.

Senior Connor Rowlett has been the leader of this historically great Lincoln defense, as the experienced linebacker has 36 tackles, eight for loss, and a sack in his final season.

Junior Parker Rogers has been outstanding, as well, totaling 38 tackles, six for loss, along with three picks and five pass break ups.

The Lincoln secondary has been outstanding in 2025, led by several standouts.

Baker has been a force against the pass and the run with 26 tackles a forced fumble and two picks — one to ice the semifinal win over Heritage Hall.

Senior safety Gabe Huntsinger has also played well and comes into the game with 25 tackles.

Wright has made plenty of big plays on defense, as well, with 18 stops, an interception, a fumble recovery and a team-high eight pass break ups.

At corner, Lincoln has been solid all year long with Farris and Peterson.

Farris has 23 tackles and a sack, while Peterson has made 32 stops, broken up six passes and has a team-high four picks.

Sulphur has a dynamic offense, led by several key standouts, including Mobly.

"Our defense needs to continue to play with a relentless and aggressive mindset, just like they have done all year," said Ricke. "Maddax Mobly and JoJo Gray are both very good at breaking tackles, so we will need to pursue the ball with 11 guys and tackle well. They are very capable in the passing game with Bridge Barrett, so we'll have to be sound in the back end as well."

The senior has 976 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns on 9.2 yards per attempt. He's also caught 42 passes for 813 yards and eight scores as a receiver.

Senior Kale Brakefield leads the offense for Sulphur at quarterback, completing 69% of passes for 2,712 yards and 32 touchdowns to just eight interceptions on the year.

Gray has been a prolific rusher in his junior season, leading the team with 1,231 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.

The Bulldogs have three other weapons that Lincoln will have to focus on, including sophomore Carter Cole, who has come on as of late.

Cole has just 20 carries, but for 358 rushing yards and three touchdowns as rusher, while catching 17 passes for 277 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver.

Barrett leads the team with 921 receiving yards on just 32 catches. He has 12 touchdowns and averages 29 yards per catch.

Senior tight end Colten Cole has 19 catches for 306 yards and four touchdowns and is a key part of Sulphur's offense as a blocker.

Photos by Lee Talley