Another big-time matchup is in store for No. 1 Lincoln Christian on Friday, as the Bulldogs travel east across state lines to play rival Shiloh Christian.

After a dominant 35-6 win over No. 3 Heritage Hall last week, Lincoln takes its 30-game win streak on the road to the No. 1 team in Class 6A in Arkansas.

The Bulldogs (2-0) rolled in last week's win, running for over 300 yards and keeping Heritage Hall's always explosive offense in check to just 3.8 yards per play. It was Lincoln's 7th straight win over the Chargers.

Lincoln has outscored its opponents 98-6 to start the season but will have its toughest test thus far.

The Saints, perennially one of the top programs in Arkansas, are ranked No. 1 and were the runner-up in Class 6A last year and return 19 seniors.

They opened the season on Friday with a 44-13 win over Little Rock Christian.

The Saints have won eight state titles in the last 27 years and have played for the state title in four of the last five seasons, doing so across three different classes.

"I think that Shiloh has a history and a culture that few other schools have," said Lincoln head coach Jerry Ricke. "Their coaches, players, and administration are all completely bought into doing the things that help make football programs successful."

Shiloh leads the all-time series 3-2, but Lincoln has won in each of the last two seasons.

The Bulldogs won a tough battle in 2023 at home, edging out the Saints 20-14 before rolling last season.

Lincoln used big plays galore to run away from Shiloh last September, winning 38-14.

"They have a great tradition, and you can see the pride that their players play with and their coaches coach with," Ricke said. "At Lincoln, I think you see that same kind of buy-in, and a culture and tradition have been established here as well."

It's sure to be another high-level matchup on Friday night, with every possession playing a big role. Last year, winning the turnover battle helped Lincoln pull away.

"I think that every coach will tell you that the team that protects the football will have the best chance to win the game, and that has certainly played a part in this series," Ricke said. "Last year, we were able to get some timely turnovers that put us in a position to be successful. I think that will be another factor this year."

The Bulldogs will need to play well and execute in what will be a raucous environment and feature the warmest temperatures of the young season.

"We talk every single day about controlling the controllables," said Ricke. "I want our players to control things like mental preparation, having their bodies hydrated and ready to go, and make sure they are getting enough rest at night. We know we will have to play smart, execute at a high-level, and play with great effort to have a chance to win over there."

Lincoln has won 28 straight regular season games. The Bulldogs are 80-4 since the start of 2018 and Lincoln has won 91 of 97 games across the last seven seasons.

Kickoff in Springdale at Lindsey Field/Champions Stadium is at 7 p.m.

Lincoln Christian School @ Shiloh Christian School (AR)

Friday, Sept. 12 — 7 p.m.

Lindsey Field at Champions Stadium — Springdale, AR

6th meeting in all-time series — Shiloh leads 3-2

WATCH HERE

OFFENSIVE PREVIEW

OFFENSIVE PREVIEW

Lincoln used a dominant rushing attack to wear down Heritage Hall last week, as the Bulldogs owned the line of scrimmage.

The Bulldogs ran for 321 yards in the win, averaging 9.2 yards per carry.

Lincoln will look to find similar success on the ground this week but will also likely need a big game from Carter Ricke and the passing attack, as well.

Ricke was 7-of-13 last week for just 73 yards passing but has been stellar to start the year.

The senior is 16-of-25 through two games, totaling 282 passing yards, three scores and one interception.

Sophomore running back CJ Wright had his best game of the young career last week, rushing 14 times for 184 yards and a score.

He's been electric to start the season, as the speedster has 237 yards on just 16 carries and two touchdowns rushing. He's added three grabs for 53 yards and a touchdown as a receiver.

Junior running back Braeden Baker was also outstanding in the win over Heritage Hall, running 16 times for 102 yards and three touchdowns.

Baker has 163 yards through two games on just 20 carries and has scored five times. He's added five catches for 38 yards and a score as a receiver.

"I was pleased with our running game last week, and I think Cooper (Housley) has been tremendous in the kicking game so far. We need to continue to develop timing on the passing game, and our perimeter blocking needs to improve," said Ricke.

Ricke's top receiving targets will be featured again this week, as junior Brett Kaste and senior Hudson Farris have been solid and reliable to start the season.

Kaste had a big 40-yard catch last week and has 112 yards on four catches through two games, including a 51-yard touchdown.

Farris has three catches for 76 yards to start 2025.

The Bulldogs, who returned all five starters on the offensive line from last year, have been extremely dominant through two games.

Lincoln has rushed for 546 yards and eight touchdowns as a team, averaging 9.9 yards per carry and 273 yards per game.

Shiloh is led defensively by six seniors and five returning starters.

Aiden Pullen (5-11, 229) and Zander Hernandez (6-2, 270) will lead the Saints up front on the defensive line after starting a year ago.

Sophomore Max Eldridge (5-6, 165) and senior Ethan Brewer (5-9, 193) are both returning defensively for Shiloh at linebacker.

Senior corner Alexander Salter (5-10, 165) is also back for the Saints, while fellow senior safety AJ Ylanan (6-1, 190) is also returning and one of the top players defensively.

"Defensively, they are super-aggressive with their blitzing, movements, and stunts," Ricke said. "They make it very difficult to prepare for because it is hard to simulate that look in practice. They have a great back end to their defense, and they do a great job mixing up coverages."

DEFENSIVE PREVIEW

The Bulldogs will have their toughest test yet defensively this week, as they face a high-powered passing attack and offense full of athletes.

However, Lincoln has been impressive on defense through two games, as the Bulldogs have dominated both opponents.

Lincoln has allowed just six points and 349 yards combined through two games.

The Bulldogs have also held opponents to just 6-of-28 on 3rd down and 1-of-8 on 4th down through the first two weeks.

"I really like the way that our defense played last week," Ricke said. "They were relentless in their effort running to the ball, and we tackled really well."

Sophomore linebacker Isaac Beisel leads the Bulldogs with 14 tackles through two games, including two tackles for loss and a half sack.

Senior Connor Rowlett has nine stops, two for loss, and a sack to start off his final season as a Bulldog.

The defensive front has been dominant for Lincoln, led by juniors Colt Monsey and Lincoln Torres.

Monsey has eight tackles, two for loss, and a sack through two weeks. Torres has seven tackles, two for loss, and had two sacks last week in the win over Heritage Hall.

The Bulldogs have forced three turnovers through two games, two of which went for touchdowns. 

Junior safety Brett Kaste has been outstanding and had a pick last week, while fellow defensive back and sophomore corner Caleb Peterson also has an interception and two pass break ups.

The Bulldogs will have to be ready at all levels defensively, as Shiloh put on an impressive performance to kick off 2025.

The Saints totaled 596 yards in last week's win, led by junior quarterback Cole Creighton (5-11, 190).

He was 27-of-39, throwing for 408 yards and three touchdowns, but did have two interceptions.

Creighton's top targets are seniors Zane Sluyter (6-3, 170) and Chandler Kemp (6-foot, 175) at receiver.

Sluyter had a whopping 12 catches for 211 yards and a touchdown, while Kemp finished with seven grabs for 109 yards and a score.

"They have an outstanding quarterback and very skilled receivers that make their passing game really tough to defend. We will have to play sound football and put some pressure on the QB," Ricke said. 

Shiloh also returns senior running back Griffin Mason, who also got off to a great start last week.

Mason (5-10, 205) carried 23 times for 104 yards and three scores in the win over Little Rock Christian. He also caught six passes for 42 yards and a touchdown.

"Their running back is very tough and experienced, and they are always very good up front," Ricke said.

Photos by Lee Talley