Two familiar foes will face off for the fourth time in under two years on Friday night, as Heritage Hall travels to No. 1 Lincoln Christian for another huge matchup.

Lincoln (1-0) will host the Chargers (1-0) for the first time ever in the series, as the two teams meet for just the second time in the regular season.

The Bulldogs have won six straight over Heritage Hall, dating back to a 2019 semifinal win.

Lincoln won the first ever regular season match up last season in early September, as the Bulldogs fought back from a 20-7 halftime deficit to win on the road 28-20.

The two teams met again in the Class 3A semifinals in late November and that contest followed a similar script.

Lincoln trailed 14-0 early but roared back, running for over 400 yards to score 42 unanswered and advance to the state title game.

The two programs also met for the Class 3A state title game in 2023, where Lincoln came-from-behind again.

Lincoln ripped off 41 unanswered points to win 48-28 and take home the program's 3rd state title in a perfect 14-0 season.

The Bulldogs followed that up last year with another perfect season and state title and the winning streak now sits at 29 straight after last week's 63-0 win over Victory Christian in the season opener.

Lincoln had 471 total yards of offense and averaged 13.5 yards per play, while limiting Victory to a combined 2-of-19 on 3rd and 4th down.

The Bulldogs have won 53 home games in-a-row and 27 straight regular season games.

After losing the first three games in the series with Heritage Hall — 2008 semifinals, 2015 state championship, 2018 semifinals — the Bulldogs have won every contest since.

The two teams have played eight times in the last 10 years and seven times in the last seven years.

Lincoln has accounted for six of Heritage Hall head coach Brett Bogert's 10 career losses. The Bulldogs have also handed the Chargers all but two of their eight losses since 2018.

Lincoln has eliminated Heritage Hall in the playoffs in five of the last six seasons.

The Bulldogs are 79-4 since the start of 2018 and Lincoln has won 90 of 96 games across the last seven seasons.

The Chargers blanked Clinton on the road in last week's season opener, winning 30-0.

Heritage Hall is 125-10 under Bogert across the last nine seasons. The Chargers have won four state titles during that span, to go along with four more semifinal appearances and another state runner-up.

Lincoln and Heritage Hall have accounted for seven of the last 10 titles in Class 3A.

"Obviously, when you play Heritage Hall, you are going to get a physical, fast, and well-coached team," said Lincoln head coach Jerry Ricke. "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.'

Heritage Hall @ Lincoln Christian

Friday, Sept. 4 — 7 p.m.

Willie George Field at Dennis Byrd Stadium — Tulsa, OK

10th meeting in all-time series — Lincoln leads 6-3

WATCH HERE: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ok/tulsa/organization/5318/lincoln-christian-high-school/watch?b=QnJvYWRjYXN0MjY0OTk5Mw%3D%3D 

OFFENSIVE PREVIEW

Lincoln will look to build off what was an impressive performance last week in the win over Victory.

The Bulldogs ran just 22 plays in the first half but accounted for seven touchdowns and  10 first downs.

The starting unit played just 18 plays yet scored six touchdowns and gained nine first downs.

Senior quarterback Carter Ricke was his usual efficient self, completing 9-of-12 passes for 209 yards and two scores. He also had a highlight-reel 19-yard rushing touchdown in the first half.

The Bulldogs two standout running backs were in full gear last week, as junior Braeden Baker and sophomore CJ Wright each put on a show.

Baker had four carries for 61 yards and two scores, including a stellar 38-yard score. He also had a 15-yard touchdown catch.

Wright carried just two times, but had 53 yards and a touchdown. He also had a 31-yard catch in the win.

"I was very pleased with our efficiency on offense," Ricke said last week after the win over Victory. "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 RPOs. Everything for us starts with a physical run game, and I thought we did that as well."

Ricke's top two receiving targets also impressed in the season debut, as senior Hudson Farris and junior Brett Kaste each had three catches.

Farris was the leading receiver from his slot position with 76 yards, while Kaste racked up 72 yards, including a 51-yard score.

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

Heritage Hall has several key players back defensively, including up front, led by senior defensive lineman Rhett Davis (6-4, 240) and David Griffin (6-1, 214).

"They have a really talented defense that looks fast, plays aggressively and has some size," said Ricke. "They can play a lot of guys up front, which helps them stay fresh and cause problems for opposing offenses."

Also back for Heritage Hall in the secondary is senior corner tandem Jerrod Williams (6-foot, 164) and Emeka Okueg (5-7, 155).

"Their secondary is really strong and they cover really well," said Ricke. "They have a ton of good athletes back there and a lot of speed."

Manning the middle of the Chargers defense is junior linebacker Carson Phelps (6-3, 226). He'll be joined by returning starters Walker Wedel (6-1, 192) and Kline Reuter (5-9, 192).

DEFENSIVE PREVIEW

The Lincoln defense picked right up where it left off in 2024 last week in the shutout of Victory Christian.

The Bulldogs held the Conquerors to just 1-of-14 on 3rd down and 1-of-5 on 4th down.

Lincoln allowed just 145 total yards on 58 plays, with much of that coming in the 2nd half after the 63-0 score at the break.

The Bulldogs also had two defensive scores, as sophomore corner Caleb Peterson  and freshman linebacker Max Madrid each housed an interception.

Lincoln did both of those in the opening half, while also forcing five punts and three turnover on downs.

"Defensively, I was very pleased," said Ricke after last week's shutout. "Anytime you get two scores from your defense, you are having a good night. We controlled the line of scrimmage with our defensive front, and I thought our back end flew around all night."

Junior defensive lineman Colt Monsey had two tackles, each for a loss, and a sack in the win. 

Fellow junior linebacker Parker Rogers had four tackles and a pass break up in his first start, while sophomore Isaac Beisel also had four stops, one for loss in the win.

Senior defensive lineman Logan Kelley had four tackles, while junior defensive end Kaden Claybrook had three stops of his own.

The Bulldogs also will expect a big game from senior linebacker Connor Rowlett, who had three tackles last week, and junior defensive lineman Lincoln Torres, who had just a tackle, but impacts the game in a major way inside.

Junior safeties Baker and Kaste will play crucial roles in the pass and run game, as the versatile defenders can play in coverage and against the run.

Baker had two tackles and a pass break up, while Kaste also had a pass break up in the win.

Heritage Hall returns several key players offensively, including Williams at receiver, Davis at tight end and quarterback Hudson Ferris (6-3, 182).

Williams was a big play threat for Heritage Hall a year ago, finishing with 28 catches for 578 yards and five TDs. He had eight catches for 195 yards and two TDs in the loss to Lincoln last September.

Davis had three touchdowns offensively a year ago.

"They have some weapons we saw last year that are back in the passing game," Ricke said. "They have guys that can do a lot of different things and we have to be ready for that."

Junior receiver Porter England is another returning starter at receiver for Heritage Hall after 36 catches for 395 yards and two scores as a sophomore.

Ferris and junior Teagan Lawson will both see time at quarterback. Lawson completed 66% of passes a year ago before being injured. 

Ferris was 8-of-17 for 102 yards and a score in the semifinal loss to Lincoln last postseason. He also had 10 carries for 42 yards.

Sophomore Max Everett (5-7, 165) is the lead ball carrier for the Chargers. He will run behind five upperclassmen on the offensive line, led by three-year starter Griffin at right guard.

"They have a good offensive line and a good running game," Ricke said.

Photos by Lee Talley