No. 1 Lincoln picked up right where it left off last season, as the Bulldogs dominated in every phase from start to finish last night, rolling 63-0 over Victory at home in the season opener.

The Bulldogs (1-0) ran the win streak to 29-straight and won their 53rd in-a-row at home behind two defensive touchdowns and an extremely efficient offensive performance.

Lincoln scored nine times in the first half to lead by the game's final margin in just 24 minutes of game time.

"We were very focused coming into the game," said Lincoln head coach Jerry Ricke. "It sometimes makes me a little nervous that our guys are so quiet in pregame. But I really think they have a quiet confidence that comes from the experience they have, as well as the preparation they have put in."

Lincoln had 471 yards of total offense, averaging 13.5 yards per play, led by the usual suspects.

Senior quarterback Carter Ricke looked to be in mid-season form, competing 9-of-12 passes for 209 yards and two scores.

Lincoln's two star running backs impressed, as well.

Junior Braeden Baker carried four times for 61 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, while adding a 15-yard TD catch.

Sophomore CJ Wright had 3 carries for 53 yards and a 31-yard TD catch.

Ricke's top two receivers looked explosive and primed to make plays, as senior Hudson Farris and junior Brett Kaste impressed.

Farris had three grabs for 76 yards to lead the Bulldogs, while Kaste finished with three catches for 72 yards and a long touchdown.

The amount of weapons Ricke is afforded as a play caller was on full display in the season opener.

"We do try to spread the ball around to different guys, especially in our scripted plays," he said. "It's fun as a play caller to have the weapons we have because they are all competitors and want the ball. Carter protected the football well and put it into our playmakers. I thought Braeden, CJ, Brett, and Hudson all took advantage of their opportunities."

The Bulldogs ran just 22 plays in the first half but scored seven touchdowns and picked up 10 first downs on offense.

"I was very pleased with our efficiency on offense," said Ricke. "We executed the game plan very well and took care of the football. I like the way we used our run game, screen game, and RPO's to keep Victory off balance. Everything for us starts with a physical run game, and I thought we did that as well."

The defense had quite a night of its own, as the Bulldogs stymied the Conqueror's passing attack and running game.

Lincoln allowed just 145 yards of total offense on 58 plays, most of which came in the 2nd half.

The Bulldogs also got two defensive scores, as sophomore Caleb Peterson housed an interception early in the opening quarter and freshman Max Madrid did the same just before half time.

"Defensively, I was very pleased. Anytime you get two sores from your defense, you are having a good night," Ricke said. "We controlled the line of scrimmage with our defensive front, and I thought our back end flew around all night. I was really happy for Caleb Peterson getting that pick-6 as he missed most of last year with an injury."

Victory was just 1-of-14 on 3rd down and 1-of-5 on 4th down.

The Bulldogs forced a 3-and-out to start the game before striking first.

Ricke found Wright on a quick screen down the home sideline for a 31-yard gain to start the drive, before doing the same on the opposite side to Baker.

The junior dove and nearly scored after a 15-yard pitch and catch but was just short.

Two plays later, Baker plowed in to make it 7-0 with 9:18 to go in the 1st quarter.

On the ensuing drive, pressure forced an errant throw from Victory quarterback Brandon Flowers.

Peterson caught it in stride and raced back towards the home sideline with a convoy of blockers for the easy pick-six. It was 14-0 with 8:24 left in the 1st.

Victory picked up one first down before being forced to punt again.

Lincoln didn't take long to make to a three-score lead.

After a penalty to start the drive, Wright ripped off an 18-yard run before Ricke found Farris over the middle.

The senior connection for 29 yards set Lincoln up at the 15, where Baker found the end zone again.

Ricke rolled left after a play fake but pitched back towards the Lincoln sideline, where he found the junior running back wide open for an easy score. Lincoln led 21-0 with 3:45 remaining in the 1st.

Victory was forced to punt again after junior defensive end Colt Monsey got home on a 3rd down sack.

A quick answer would extend the lead again, as Wright took the handoff and cut back across the field, outrunning the Victory defense for a 35-yard touchdown with just over a minute to go.

Lincoln led 28-0 through one quarter.

Victory moved it out toward midfield after a first down but turned it back over to Lincoln, who stuffed the Conquerors again on 4th.

On the first play of the offense's next drive, Kaste got in on the action, as Ricke found him all alone over the middle on an RPO.

The senior made two defenders miss and outraced them for a 50-yard touchdown, making it 35-0 with 10:14 to go in the half.

The Bulldog defense made quick work of the next Victory drive, forcing another 3-and-out to get the ball back to Ricke and his offense.

The senior scrambled to find Farris over the middle for 27 yards to start the drive before Baker made another highlight reel run three plays later.

Baker made two defenders miss within the first few yards before cutting back to elude three more.

After breaking free, he tiptoed down the home sideline from the 5-yard line on to score for the third time on the night.

Cooper Housley's PAT was good to make it 42-0 with 7:42 remaining before half.

The Bulldogs forced another quick punt before Lincoln would add to the lead.

Baker ripped off a 23-yard run to start the drive before Ricke connected with Kaste for 14 and Farris for 20 to move it to the Victory 19-yard line.

Ricke would score on the next play, showcasing his athleticism and speed on one of the best run's of the quarterback's career.

He broke several tackles after tucking it and scrambling to avoid the sack before breaking free, cutting back and diving over a defender.

The senior landed in the end zone and popped up to his feet, fired up after making it 49-0 Lincoln with 4:57 left in the half.

Lincoln got the ball back after Victory was forced to punt once again, as some of the reserves had entered the game and kept the level of play up defensively.

Sophomore quarterback Brayden McMullen also entered for Lincoln on the ensuing drive, leading yet another scoring march that took just four plays.

McMullen took a hit from a defender but delivered on time to running back Maverick Rea, who juked and outraced the Conquerors down the far sideline and into the end zone.

The 32-yard score added to the Lincoln lead, as it was 56-0 with 3:01 left in the 2nd quarter.

The Bulldogs closed out the half with another defensive score, as Madrid made a great read on the ensuing 3rd down, stepping in front of a pass from Victory's Maceo Miller out into the flat and cruising in from 10 yards out.

Ricke was complimentary of what was a great crowd for the season opener, as the fans were treated to a stellar first half performance. 

"I thought the crowd was fantastic," Ricke said. "It is such a cool experience for our players to see all of our fans so up. As a team, we are all so appreciative of the Bulldog community for making Friday nights so special for our kids. I would love to see them all show back up this Friday against a tough Heritage Hall team."

The Bulldogs will host Heritage Hall for the first time ever when the two teams meet on Friday night.

Lincoln won twice over the Chargers last season, coming from behind in early in the year for a 28-20 win and then scoring 42 unanswered to win 42-14 in the semifinals.

Heritage Hall is ranked No. 2 or No. 3 in most polls and will present another tough challenge to Lincoln this week.

"Obviously, when you play Heritage Hall, you are going to get a physical, fast, and well-coached team," he said. "High school football teams usually see a lot of improvement from week 0 to week 1. I expect both of us to improve in all areas going into this week. I hope that we can start a little faster this time. Our kids have the utmost respect for  Heritage Hall, and we know we'll have to play well on Friday night to try an get a win."

The Bulldogs have won six straight over the Chargers, dating back to 2019. 

This will be the 4th match up between the two programs in the last 21 months, as Lincoln will look to win its 28th straight regular season game.

Kickoff at Willie George Field and Dennis Byrd Stadium for homecoming Friday is at 7 p.m.

Photos by Lee Talley