After winning the program's third straight state championship last weekend, Lincoln Christian brought home a host of postseason awards and closed out the year at the team banquet on Thursday.

The Bulldogs finished off their third straight undefeated season, winning in the 3A state title game over Sulphur in a classic for the second straight year.

Lincoln has won 42 straight games and has five state championships total — including four in the last seven seasons.

Senior quarterback Carter Ricke was named the District 3A-3 MVP after an outstanding final season.

Ricke was the leader of the Bulldogs in 2025 and saved his best for last, completing 18-of-23 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown in the state finals.

He completed 74% of passes for 2,798 yards and 41 touchdowns in his senior season.

Ricke also was a threat as a runner, totaling 547 yards and seven scores on the ground — averaging 10.9 yards per attempt.

"He was the natural leader of our team," said Lincoln head coach Jerry Ricke. "He had his best game in his final game in a Lincoln uniform. He never lost a game as a starter."

Ricke sits near the top of many passing categories in school history after his two years at quarterback.

The senior totaled 5,972 yards (4th all-time) and 86 touchdowns (3rd), while finishing a clear best all time in career completion percentage at 75%. His 17.1 yards per completion is also the second-best in Lincoln history.

Ricke, who was also named as the team MVP at last week's banquet, ran for 831 yards and 10 touchdowns in his career, averaging 9.4 yards per attempt.

His favorite target, senior receiver Hudson Farris, was named 1st-team all-district and was honored as the offensive MVP for the 2025 season after a strong final season at Lincoln.

Farris led the team with 51 catches for a team-high 1,002 yards and 12 touchdowns as senior.

"We needed Hudson to step up for us offensively this year and he certainly did," said Ricke. "You could tell he and Carter have been playing together for a long time."

Farris had 1,096 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns for his career, while also running for 473 yards and six touchdowns as a rusher, averaging 8.3 yards per attempt.

The senior also totaled 64 tackles, two interceptions and 15 pass break ups in his career.

Senior Connor Rowlett made one of the biggest plays of the season, picking off a pass late in the finals as the clincher to get the Bulldogs another gold ball last Saturday.

And the linebacker was honored as the 3A-3 Defensive Player of the Year for his final season as the leader of the best defense in the state.

Rowlett had 41 tackles as a senior, including nine tackles for loss, a sack and the interception.

He had 115 tackles in his career as a 2-year starter at linebacker, including 16 tackles for loss and five sacks.

Rowlett was also honored with the "Program Award" at last week's banquet, given to a player that has been with the program for all 12 years, has developed themselves over time and exemplifies how Ricke and staff want players to grow during their career.

"He stepped up huge for us as the leader of our defense this year and delivered big-time in the state championship to help us win it," said Ricke.

Senior offensive linemen Carson Elix helped paved the way for a school record rushing attack that totaled 3,878 yards and for that, he was named as 1st-team all-district and the Offensive Lineman of the Year for the team.

"He was a guy I trusted and was one of the most improved kids that I have ever coached," said Ricke.

Elix was a 2-year starter and a team captain for Lincoln.

Fellow offensive lineman and senior guard TH Harrell was also named 1st-team all-district after helping the Bulldogs to a historic year running the football.

"I'm really proud of his improvement and ability to take coaching," said Ricke. "He did a great job for us and was a great fit among our culture."

Harrell was also a 2-year starter, helping the Bulldogs to undefeated seasons in his final two seasons.

Senior kicker Cooper Housley was an outstanding weapon for Lincoln on special teams throughout his career.

Housley was named as the 3A-3 Special Teams Player of the Year and was honored with the same award by the team.

"He was an outstanding weapon as a kicker for our team," Ricke said. "He really helped our defense out, being able to pin our opponents deep and have an advantage in field position."

Housley was 82-of-85 on extra points as a senior and had 75 touchbacks on 94 kickoffs in 14 games.

He was also the team's special teams player of the week for every week this season.

For his career, Housley was 224-of-237 on extra points and had touchbacks on 67% of his kickoffs.

Senior tight end Logan Kelley was honored with the team's "BULLDOG Award," which goes to a player that best represents the program's five core values — excellence, commitment, discipline, honor and relationships. 

"We needed him to step up at tight end and defensive line and he came through for us big time," Ricke said. "He was one of the smartest guys on our team."

Kelley had 20 tackles, including six for loss, from his defensive end spot. He also had two receiving touchdowns.

The senior was also named as 1st-team all-district at tight end.

Senior safety Gabe Huntsinger rounded out Lincoln's 3A-3 honorees, making the 1st-team after a stellar season in the secondary.

Huntsinger had 30 tackles, including three for loss, stepping up big time in the back end for the dominant Lincoln defense.

"He found his way onto the field for us and played big time at safety for our defense," said Ricke. "He was a guy who was always ready when we needed him."

Huntsigner also had 273 yards and three TDs on offense as a running back in his senior season.

Senior Max Grisham was honored at the team banquet as the Scout Team Player of the Year.

"He made his mark for us on the scout team and played very well at center on our JV team," Ricke said. "We ask a lot of those guys and he had a big task, going up against our defense e front but he came to work every day and gave us a great look."

Junior Lincoln Torres, who had a dominant season at defensive line and on offense at tackle for the Bulldogs, was named the Defensive MVP for the team.

"He was a great leader for our defense and played with relentless effort and great energy," said Ricke. "He is just a guy that everyone would want on their team."

Torres had 65 total tackles, including a team-high 23 tackles for loss and a team-high seven sacks.

Photos by Lee Talley