After an exciting win to close out the non-district slate, No. 1 Lincoln is back in action this week, as the Bulldogs begin District 3A-3 play by traveling to Stigler.

Lincoln (3-0) won a thriller in Arkansas over No. 2 (6A) Shiloh Christian 41-33 on Sept. 12, coming-from-behind in a classic to keep the Bulldogs' 31-game win streak alive.

The Bulldogs now turn their attention to a portion of the season where they have dominated.

Lincoln has won seven straight district championships and the Bulldogs have been district champs in 10 of the last 11 seasons.

As usual, Lincoln was tested in non-district play, winning over No. 3 Heritage Hall the week prior to the victory over Shiloh.

Lincoln will look to win its' 30th straight regular season game Thursday after getting a much-needed bye after the challenging stretch to open the 2025 season.

"I love the fact that our bye comes between our non-district and district games," said Lincoln head coach Jerry Ricke. "We were able to get some players healed up, while also maintaining our conditioning and spending quality time on the practice field and in the weight room."

It also allowed Ricke and his staff the chance to refocus on fundamentals and basics, as well as building depth.

"The bye week is an ideal time to focus on fundamentals and return to the basics of all our techniques," said Ricke. "We also use this time to get our JV and 9th-grade team quality reps, while making sure our varsity groups stay sharp."

The Bulldogs have also won 43 district games in-a-row, as Lincoln will look to extend that streak on Thursday, as well.

"As I reminded our team on Monday, the start of the district season is a very important week for us," said Ricke. "You want to get off to a good start in district play, and we have to go on the road to Stigler on a Thursday night."

"I'm hoping that we get out to a good start, play a clean game, and do the little things necessary to help our team win."

Ricke has been more than pleased with his team thus far, highlighting each unit's ability to pick the other one up throughout the first three wins.

"I think that we have played great complementary football thus far this year," he said. "In the Heritage Hall game, I thought our defense did a great job of getting stops, especially when our offense struggled in the 1st quarter."

"Against Shiloh Christian, I thought our offense had some key drives after Shiloh scored, which helped give our defense a break and give us some momentum. I'm also really happy with our special teams thus far this year. Cooper Housley has been a huge weapon in the kicking game."

Stigler is 1-2 through three weeks in 2025.

The Panthers lost at No. 4 (4A) Sallisaw to open the season, falling 27-0. Stigler fell two weeks ago to Mena (AR) at home 29-19 before getting its first win last week.

The Panthers outlasted Stillwell in a defensive dominated game, winning 7-0 over the Indians at home.

It will be the 9th meeting all-time between Lincoln and Stigler, as the two schools have played in each of the last seven seasons.

Lincoln has won all eight games by 19 or more points. 

The Bulldogs won the first contest in 2013, beating the Panthers 41-21 in the first round of the playoffs. 

Each of the last four Lincoln wins have been by 41 or more, with the Bulldogs outscoring Stigler by a margin of 202-21. Lincoln is averaging 46 points per game all-time in the series.

The Panthers were 4-6 last season.

Lincoln is 81-4 across the last six seasons, winning three state championships and finishing as runner-up twice. The Bulldogs are 92-6 since the start of 2018.

Lincoln Christian @ Stigler

Thursday, Sept. 25 — 7 p.m.

Panther Stadium - Stigler, OK

9th meeting in all-time series — Lincoln leads 8-0

WATCH HERE

OFFENSIVE PREVIEW

The Bulldogs' offense has been rolling through the first three games of 2025, led by a strong ground game and senior leader at quarterback.

Senior Carter Ricke has competed 71% of passes for 452 yards in the three wins, throwing four touchdowns.

However it was Ricke's legs that saved the day vs. Shiloh Christian.

Ricke ran nine times for a career-high 137 yards and three scores, including a 67-yard TD to ice  the game with under three minutes left.

His two weapons at running back have been outstanding in junior Braeden Baker and sophomore CJ Wright.

Baker has 247 yards rushing and six touchdowns on the ground. He also as two receiving TDs and is averaging 6.7 yards per attempt.

Wright has averaged a staggering 14.7 yards per carry, running for 291 yards on just 20 carries.

He's scored three touchdowns on the ground and has 75 yards and a score as a receiver. 

Ricke's top two wideouts came up big in the win over Shiloh Christian.

Senior Hudson Farris had five catches for 74 yards and carried three times for 40 yards. He has eight grabs for 150 yards through three games.

Junior Brett Kaste was big in the first half in Arkansas, catching all five passes for 61 yards. He leads the team with nine catches for 173 yards and a touchdown.

The offensive line has been dominant, as all five returning starters from 2024 have kicked it into another gear.

Lincoln has run for 884 yards in the three wins, averaging 295 yards per game and 9.7 yards per rush as a team.

The Bulldogs average 46 points per game and 9.5 yards per play.

The first team offense has faced just 13 third downs in 2025 thus far and has converted 62% of those.

Stigler is led defensively by senior linebacker Devin Johnson, senior defensive end Latch Smith and sophomore safety Graham Easttom.

Easttom is the leading tackler with 26 stops, while Smith has 21 tackles and Johnson has 19.

Easttom and standout sophomore corner Brylar Honeycutt each have an interception, as well.

"Their defense has made it tough for opposing teams to move the ball," said Ricke. "They play hard and are well coached, so our guys need to be well-prepared and ready to go."

DEFENSIVE PREVIEW

The Bulldogs will look to get off to a fast start defensively in district play, where they have dominated in recent years.

Lincoln has allowed less than 10 points per game in district play in each of the last six seasons.

The Bulldogs are allowing just 13 points per game in 2025 through three games, including the 33 allowed two weeks ago at Shiloh.

Lincoln has held opponents to 14-of-45 on third downs thus far, just a 31% conversion rate.

Sophomore Isaac Beisel leads the team in tackles with 27. The linebacker has two tackles for loss and a sack, as well.

His running mate, senior middle linebacker Connor Rowlett has 14 tackles through three games, including two tackles for loss and a sack.

Parker Rogers, the other linebacker, has 12 tackles, two for loss, and a pass break up.

The defensive line has been dominant thus far and that should continue, led by juniors Lincoln Torres and Colt Monsey.

Torres has 12 tackles, two of them for loss, as well as two sacks.

Monsey has nine tackles in three games, two of those for loss, as well as a sack.

Senior Logan Kelley, junior Kayden Claybrook and freshman Colt Conroy have provided good play and depth up front, as well.

Kelley has seven tackles, while Claybrook has five and Conroy has eight.

The secondary has played outstanding in the three wins, led by sophomore corner Caleb Peterson.

Peterson has 12 tackles, two pass break ups and three interceptions, including one for a TD and another that was called back in the Shiloh game.

Baker and Kaste have been great at safety for Lincoln, as Baker has 13 tackles, while Kaste has eight stops, an INT and four pass break ups.

Farris has been great at the other corner spot opposite Peterson, as he has 14 tackles through three games.

Easttom is the engine for the Stigler offense, as he does most of his work as a runner.

The sophomore has 326 yards on 5.1 yards per carry in the three games. He's scored twice on the ground and averages 109 yards per game.

He is 16-of-33 as a passer for 196 yards with a touchdown and five interceptions.

"They have a young quarterback who is doing a really good job running their offense, especially QB runs designed for him," said Ricke. 

Senior Morgan Peery is the other leading rusher for Stigler, as he's posted 171 rushing yards on 4.6 yards per carry to start the season behind a noticeably good and experienced offensive line.

"They have 5 returning starters on the offensive line, and you can see that experience in their games thus far," said Ricke.

Stigler averages 232 yards per game offensively, including 167 yards per game on the ground.

Photos by Lee Talley