It's time.

Football is back.

And what a way to start.

For just the 5th time in state history, two defending, undefeated state champions will open the season against each other on Thursday night, when Lincoln Christian visits Jones.

The back-to-back-to-back 3A state champs will travel to last year's 2A-1 champion to kick off the high school football season in Oklahoma in a heavyweight matchup.

Lincoln is riding a 42-game win streak, as the Bulldogs have not lost since a November 2022 defeat in the state semifinals.

Jones, meanwhile, is ushering in a new head coach, coaching staff and many new players, as the Longhorns, amidst all the change, are still expected to be elite in 2026.

Interestingly enough, the teams will be swapping classes, as Lincoln moves down to 2A-1 and Jones moves up to 3A.

The two teams have met quite a few times, as the programs battled in nine straight seasons from 2015-2023.
"We have had some really good practices over the past couple of weeks, and a lot of that is because our guys feel the urgency around how good Jones is and all the hype surrounding this game" said Lincoln head coach Jerry Ricke.

Lincoln is 7-2 against the Longhorns all time, with the most recent win coming 56-34 at Jones in non-district play in 2023.

All but one matchup in the series have been in the regular season, aside from the first matchup, a 39-14 win by Lincoln in the 2015 semifinals.

Lincoln has won the last six matchups by an average margin of victory of 21 points.

Jones is 44-10 across the last four seasons and 161-54 since 2008, consistently performing one of the top teams in Class 2A-3A in the state.
"They return a ton of experience and talent from last year's state championship team," said Ricke. "They are very well coached and have a good understanding of their scheme. They all fly around to the football, and their back end has elite talent at both the corner and safety positions."

Ricke enters his 10th year as head coach of the Bulldogs and has a ridiculous 108-13 record.

The Bulldogs are 92-4 since the start of 2019 and 103-6 since the beginning of the 2018 season.
"We will lean on our experience from the get-go. Our older guys have played in a lot of these games, so they will know what to expect," Ricke said. "Our younger guys are excited, and maybe a bit nervous, but that is a good thing. I have been doing this for 25 years, and I still get a little nervous. That is all part of what makes football game night in Oklahoma so special."

Lincoln is also 26-4 in the playoffs since the start of 2018.

The Bulldogs' 42-game win streak is the second-longest active streak in the state and is the 5th longest streak all-time.
"As a head coach, you always question yourself: Are our kids going to be conditioned for the first game? Did we do enough in practice for them to last 4 quarters? We obviously got to see a little of that play out in the scrimmage, but our kids have heard a heavy message this week about making sure their bodies are ready to go for Thursday," said Ricke. "Jones has a great home field advantage, so we'll have to be ready for that as well."

During that stretch, 36 of the 42 wins have been by double digits, while the Bulldogs have held opponents to eight points or less 25 times and have posted 15 shutouts.

Kickoff at Tim Wallace Memorial Stadium on Thursday is at 7 p.m.

No. 1 Lincoln Christian @ No. 1 Jones

Thursday, Aug. 27 — 7 p.m.

Tim Wallace Memorial Stadium - Jones, OK

10th meeting in all-time series — Lincoln leads 7-2

WATCH HERE

OFFENSIVE PREVIEW

After a school record in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns last year, Lincoln will usher in many new faces on offense.

The Bulldogs averaged 50 points per game en route to a 14-0 record, as the Bulldogs ran for over 3,800 yards and scored 52 times on the ground.

Lincoln also lost all-state quarterback Carter Ricke, who put up one of the best two-year runs in school history.

Now, the Bulldogs usher in a new quarterback and a few new leading ball carriers, as play caller Jerry Ricke will attempt to keep the train rolling with new names.
"We need to play a clean game from a turnover and penalty perspective," said Ricke. "We have to be really good on special teams because no one gets to practice those in a live setting. Our ability to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball will be a huge factor in how this shakes out."

Sophomore Major Brooks takes over for Lincoln at quarterback, as the young lefty has impressed throughout the spring and summer.

"He has exceeded our expectations thus far," said Ricke. "He has been very consistent in his day to day approach of our practices and is learning to command the whole offense and is understanding where the ball needs to go. He has been on time with his throws and is getting better every time he steps on the field."

Brooks was a standout at spring team camp and in the summer, as the sophomore led all quarterbacks at the Midwest 7-on-7 at Shiloh Christian with 19 touchdowns to just two interceptions.

Now he gets his shot to lead one of the perennial top offenses in the state in a big-time first career start.

"We couldn't be more pleased with where he is at," said Ricke. "He is going to be good at quarterback for us for a while. He has been working with receivers on his own time all summer. We feel really good about him and we have prepared him as much as we can."

His backfield mates will consist of sophomores Max Madrid and Drake Sheffield, as well as junior Isaac Beisel.

The run-game will be crucial to Lincoln's success on Thursday, as it was a year ago.

Madrid ran for 215 yards and a score on 11.9 yards per carry in limited action a year ago, while Sheffield had 12 carries for 62 yards as a freshman in just five games.

"We feel that each one of those guys have really good qualities as a runner and in our offense," said Ricke. "They are all a little different, but I think that's a good thing."

Beisel was mostly used as a blocker last year offensively, but will provide Lincoln with a bigger body in the backfield similar to a role played by 2024 all-state standout Dawson Fullingim.

"Isaac will also get some carries at running back and we see a role for him similarly to the one we had a couple of years ago," said Ricke. "He will play fullback and tight end for us, as well, and is going to be a big contributor for us on offense."

Lincoln also returns arguably the top fullback in the state in senior Rain Ragland, who helped pave the way for the dominant ground game that averaged over 10 yards per rush last season.

"Rain is a four-year starter for us and is the best fullback in the state," said Ricke. "He is tremendous at the point of attack and our guys have such comfort running behind him. He knows what we want to do and how to get the job done. He is an extremely crucial part of our offense."

When Brooks is passing, he will look to his top returning target in speedy junior Caleb Peterson.

Peterson is one of the fastest players in the entire state — regardless of class — and should easily smash his production of 18 catches for 250 yards and two scores a year ago.

"It starts with Caleb for us as a playmaker at receiver," said Ricke. "He will move to our inside receiver role, but we will use him in a lot of different ways and on a variety of routes," said Ricke. "He has shown us every indication that he is ready to put his stamp on this offense.

Sophomore Kade Wilson will also have a big role at receiver for Lincoln, after coming on late in the year to catch eight passes for 89 yards and two scores last year.

"Kade played some for us last year as a freshman and has been very consistent. He is a guy that knows the playbook and understands what we want to do. He is a great route runner that does exactly what we want him to do," said Ricke.

Senior Colt Monsey moves from right tackle to tight end, where he should have an expanded role right out of the gate in his final season as a Bulldog.

"It's a new role for Colt and he has soaked up every bit of technique," said Ricke. "He has benefited big-time from all of the offseason and preseason work. He understands what we are doing. He is a tremendous blocker and has an opportunity to break out in a big way for us as a pass catching weapon."

Senior Lincoln Torres is back as the Bulldogs anchor on the offensive line, as the four-year starter will lead the Bulldogs ground game from his left tackle spot.

"He is not only a tremendous player but he is an unquestioned leader for us," said Ricke. "He has set the standard for how our guys play in the trenches," said Ricke. "He has demanded all out effort and intensity at all times and that's invaluable to have as a leader for your team."

Four other new starters will fill out the offensive line for a group that paved the way for an offense that averaged 20 first downs per game and only punted 11 times all season.

For Jones defensively, the Longhorns have a lot of talent retuning from a year ago at all levels.

The Templeton brothers, juniors Kade and Derek lead the way in the secondary at corner after combining for 70 tackles and five picks as sophomores.

Senior Jesse Hernandez is back to lead Jones at linebacker with two other seniors and a junior in the Longhorns 3-4 look.

Hernandez had 67 tackles and three sacks a year ago.

Up front, junior Ben Williams leads the way at nose for Jones, after posting 24 tackles and two sacks as sophomore.

The Longhorns allowed just 13 points per game a year ago and held opponents to 14 points or less in eight of 14 games.

DEFENSIVE PREVIEW

After having the best defense in the state a year ago, Lincoln looks poised to dominate on that side of the ball once again in 2026.

The Bulldogs allowed just 70 total points in 14 games last year, including only three points in seven district games.

Lincoln allowed just 146 yards per game last season and gave up only 56 rushing yards per contest.

The Bulldogs also held opponents to under 25% on third down, as well as allowed just under eight first downs per game.

Lincoln returns five of six starters in the front seven, led by the Bulldogs dominant front three senior trio.

Torres, Monsey and Ragland are all back for the Bulldogs, as Comfort's foundation will continue to be his front line, which is as good as any in the state.

"That group is the foundation of our defense," said Comfort. "They can all move around and play inside or outside. They are athletic as can be and extremely strong. They have been big time contributors for us for multiple years and we are expecting big things from them again this season."

The group combined for over 130 tackles, including 45 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.

"One-on-one, any of the three are a nightmare for any opposing blockers," said Comfort. "That just is such a luxury to have as a defense, where we can rely on those three to control everything up front."

At linebacker, Beisel and senior Parker Rogers return for the Bulldogs after each had a tremendous 2025.

Beisel led the team with 81 tackles, including 13 for loss, while Rogers had 45 tackles and three picks.

"Parker is a big-time player as a division-1 guy that can cover, come up and make tackles and really do it all. He is a very versatile guy that we can really play anywhere," said Comfort. "Isaac has a lot of the same traits as Parker. He is a very tenacious player that has a ton of athleticism and gives us a lot of flexibility in the spot he will play for us."

Sheffield will man the middle for Lincoln at linebacker, using his athleticism to cover sideline to sideline.

Peterson will move from corner to safety after leading the team with four interceptions and six pass break ups as a sophomore.

"He understands the defense better after a big season last fall and now, moving over to free safety, has a better command of what we are trying to do schematically," said Comfort. "He will continue to become more comfortable back there and learn the rest of the picture and how everything works. He is a vocal leader and the guy we need leading the way for us back there."

Madrid and junior Maverick Rea will start at the other safety spots for Lincoln, as both have shown great ability to play the run and pass in the preseason.

Senior Eli Summerlin and junior Cayden Mathruin, along with Wilson, will man the boundary for Comfort at corner.

It will be a huge test for Lincoln right out of the gate, as Jones' passing attack will provide a significant test for Comfort and his group on Thursday.

"This is going to be a challenge for our secondary and our whole defense," said Comfort. "They are a great team and they have big game experience. Their receivers are fast, athletic and savvy."

Sophomore Jeymon Reed will be the focus of his father's offense after a huge freshman season at Altus.

"It all starts with the QB. He is very big at 6-foot-4 and we have seen how well he can run (looking at film last year from Altus)," said Ricke. "He has great playmakers at the receiver position, and his offensive line has experience and size. The first game always comes down to tackling. We will need to limit their big plays because they have a bunch of guys capable of making them."

Reed had almost 49 total touchdowns and 3,734 total yards in his first varsity season.

"The quarterback is a very good player and can hurt you in the air and on the ground with his legs so we have to find ways to put pressure on him," said Comfort.

Junior Jose Taylor is the top returning running back for Jones, as he ran for 652 yards and nine touchdowns on seven yards per rush a year ago.

"We have to stop the run first and foremost," said Comfort. "We need our front guys to stop the run and put pressure on the quarterback when he drops back to throw."

Reed's top targets will include senior receiver Hunter Purvis and junior wideout Garritt Davis. 

Purvis had 816 yards and 15 scores a year ago, while Davis moved over from Crossings Christian after playing quarterback there as a sophomore.

"We are going to have to play disciplined football and each unit is going to have to focus on doing their job," said Comfort. "We are going to have to do a great job in coverage because they have four very capable receivers."

Reed threw just seven interceptions a year ago, while Lincoln took the ball away 22 times in 14 games, as turnovers could play a huge factor on Thursday night.

"I think whoever wins the turnover battle will likely win the game," said Comfort. "Those are huge momentum plays against good teams so if we get the chance we will have to capitalize."

Comfort feels good about his group, who's played in numerous big-time games and atmospheres over the last few seasons, stepping into the limelight so early in the season.

"We will have to lean on our experience in big games to handle the emotions of the first game and the energy that both teams are going to have," Comfort said. "This is an opportunity to go out and execute what we've been doing since May"

"Our kids are excited for the chance to go out and play and I'm excited to see us step to the challenge in front of us."