It's playoff time.

No. 1 Lincoln Christian opens the 2026 playoff run at home tonight, when the Bulldogs begin their pursuit of a 4th straight gold ball in the first round of the OSSAA Class 2A-1 Playoffs.

Lincoln (9-1) will host Sequoyah Claremore (4-6) in the opening round, as the Bulldogs look to win the program's 13th straight postseason game.

Lincoln is the back-to-back-to-back Class 3A champion, but will look for the program's first title in Class 2A-1.

The Bulldogs ran through the 2A-1-3 district slate, finishing 7-0 with no game closer than two touchdowns.

Sequoyah finished 4th in 2A-1-4 with a 4-3 record, rebounding from an 0-4 start to make the playoffs. 

The Eagles lost to Inola, Cleveland and Wyandotte in non-district play before falling to Holland Hall to open the district slate.

Sequoyah rebounded with a win over Central before falling to 1-5 after a close loss to Sperry.

However, the Eagles would win three of the next four games, including last week's de-facto play in game in a 37-34 win over Henryetta.

Lincoln, who played arguably the state's toughest non-district schedule with wins over Jones, Heritage Hall and a loss to Shiloh Christian (AR), was more than prepared for district play.

The Bulldogs came from behind in a 35-21 win over Sequoyah Tahlequah in the district opener before rolling in the remaining six games, averaging 55 points per game and allowing just eight in 2A-1-3 play.

"We are relatively healthy, and our guys are excited about this opportunity," said Lincoln head coach Jerry Ricke. "We have a lot of guys with the experience of a playoff run, and what it takes to do that."

"I think the thing that they would all say we stress is taking it one game at a time. Our guys are completely focused on Claremore Sequoyah and getting prepared to play them."

This will be just the second meeting all-time between the two schools, as Lincoln won the only other matchup in the 2016 playoffs, as the Bulldogs took down the Eagles 23-14 in the second round.

Lincoln is 63-1 at home since Sept. 2017 and the Bulldogs are 26-4 in the playoffs since the beginning of 2018.

"Earning playoff games at home is something we talk about all the time. What you do in district play determines, in part, your postseason," said Ricke.

"We have put ourselves in the best possible position, as a district champion, and so our guys want to take advantage of that. Playing at home is one of the huge benefits of taking care of your business in district play."

The Bulldogs have won 51 of the last 52 games overall and are 83-2 since Sept. 2018 with both losses coming to out-of-state Shiloh Christian.

The Bulldogs are 101-5 across the last eight seasons and 112-7 since the start of 2018.

Ricke is 117-14 overall and is 27-5 in the playoffs during his career.

The Bulldogs have won five state championships in school history, along with nine straight district title sand have been to eight straight semifinals.

Sequoyah Claremore @ No. 1 Lincoln Christian

Friday, Nov. 13 — 7 p.m.

Willie George Field @ Dennis Byrd Stadium — Tulsa, OK

2nd meeting all-time — Lincoln leads 1-0

WATCH HERE

OFFENSIVE PREVIEW

Lincoln has been rolling offensively, as the Bulldogs have turned it up in October and November.

The Bulldogs had over 500 yards in last week's regular season finale win over Roland, as Lincoln dominated on the ground and through the air.

Sophomore Major Brooks had another big game, throwing for three touchdowns in the first half.

The young lefty has completed 68% of passes for 1,774 yards and 24 touchdowns through nine games, while throwing just four interceptions.

His top target is junior receiver Caleb Peterson, who continues to produce at a big-time level.

Peterson had a 25-yard TD catch last week but has dominated all season, leading the team in all categories with 44 catches, 737 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Brooks' other top target is sophomore Kade Wilson, who has 25 catches for 392 yards and four touchdowns on the year.

Senior tight end Colt Monsey had a big stretch during district play, including a 57-yard TD catch last week.

Monsey has been a welcomed addition to the passing game this year, as the as 12 catches for 259 yards and three TDs.

Lincoln has improved on the ground in a big way, with sophomore Max Madrid being the lead dog in the run game.

Madrid had seven carries for 180 yards and three TDs last week but has had a big-time season for Lincoln.

Madrid leads the team with 971 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging 108 yards per game and 9.2 yards per carry.

He also has seven catches for 151 yards and a TD as a receiver.

The Bulldogs offensive line has made big improvements and welcomed back top blocker in senior left tackle Lincoln Torres several weeks ago.

"The offensive line is probably the most improved unit on the team, and we had to. We knew we had a long way to go at the start of the season, and these guys just kept trusting their training and believed in each other," said Ricke.

"We still feel like we can get better here in the postseason. These guys continue to show up hungry to learn and grow."

Lincoln averages 214 yards per game on the ground and 209 through the air per game.

The Bulldogs average 43 points per game but have scored 55 per game during district play.

Lincoln averages 18 first downs per game and 9.2 yards per play.

Sequoyah allows 31 points per game defensively.

DEFENSIVE PREVIEW

Lincoln delivered another dominant defensive performance last week in a 58-12 win to close out the regular season vs. Roland.

The Bulldogs have turned it up a notch defensively over the past couple of months, allowing just 38 total points across the last six games.

The Bulldogs have held opponents to just 28-of-101 (27%) on 3rd down on the year, while Lincoln has allowed less than three yards per play in district action.

Lincoln has forced 14 turnovers in nine games and allows just 111 passing yards per game on 24 attempts per night.

The Bulldogs are led defensively by junior linebacker Isaac Beisel, who has been tremendous and has the team-lead for tackles.

Beisel has 53 tackles on the year, including three tackles for loss and a sack.

His running mates at linebacker are senior Parker Rogers and junior Braxton McGinnis.

Rogers has 35 tackles, three tackles for loss, five pass break ups and a forced fumble.

McGinnis has 42 tackles, seven tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks on the year.

Everything starts up front for Lincoln, as the Bulldogs have dominated with their front three all year.

Monsey has led the unit with 33 tackles and a team-high 13 tackles for loss and a team-leading five sacks.

His running mate, Rain Ragland, who is still out with a hand injury, has 26 tackles, six tackles for loss, a fumble recovery, three sacks and a forced fumble and should return before the semifinals.

Torres returned to defense last week in a big way, as he had three tackles — all for loss, along with two sacks in his season debut on that side of the ball.

Sophomore Josiah Faulkner and junior Nate Uyetake have played amazingly in their opportunities to step up all season.

Faulkner has 18 tackles, nine tackles for loss and five sacks to tie for the team lead with Monsey.

Utyetake has been everywhere, as he has 27 tackles , Sven tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two sacks and a fumble recovery.

Peterson mans the middle at free safety, as he has been outstanding with 30 tackles, two interceptions (1 TD) and six pass break ups.

Madrid and junior Maverick Rea play the down safety spots for Lincoln and have been great for coordinator Jeff Comfort.

Madrid has 24 tackles, three tackles for loss and four pass break ups, while Rea has 28 tackles, two tackles for loss, an interception and a team-high seven pass break ups.

Junior Cayden Mathurin and senior Eli Summerlin have covered sideline to sideline at corner for Lincoln all year and have been tremendous.

Mathruin leads the team with four interceptions, while Summelrin has 24 tackles, and two picks (1 TD).

The Bulldogs allow just 13 points per game and Sequoyah averages 30 points per game on the year.