The Bulldogs got behind early and could never catch up last Friday, as Lincoln fell for the first time in almost three years in a 41-14 loss to Shiloh Christian.

Shiloh jumped ahead early and led 27-14 at halftime before adding two more scores in the second half.

It was Lincoln's first home loss in nine years, as the Bulldogs had won 59 straight at Willie George Field at Dennis Byrd Stadium.

Lincoln also had won 44 straight games dating back to a November loss in the 2022 Class 3A semifinals.

"I just think that Shiloh played a great game, and they have great players," said Lincoln head coach Jerry Ricke. "We knew that we were going to have to have some things go our way, especially early, and that did not happen. Give them all the credit. They played really well on both sides of the ball."

Lincoln (2-1) had 317 total yards of offense but had a tough time slowing down the Saints, who had 363 total yards of their own.

Shiloh scored on the opening possession, going 53 yards in eight plays to take a 7-0 lead less than three minutes into the game.

The Saints took advantage of a Bulldog fumble several minutes later, but Lincoln held Shiloh to a field goal to make it 10-0.

Lincoln responded, however, as The Bulldogs went 65 yards in just six plays and under two minutes, as sophomore quarterback Major Brooks found Caleb Peterson for a 33-yard touchdown to cut into the lead at 10-7 midway in the first quarter.

"I was pleased with a lot of what we did. We handled their pressure, which is constant, pretty well at times," said Ricke. "Max Madrid had some really nice, physical runs. I thought Caleb was really good, and Kade played well."

Shiloh went on a long drive on the ensuing possession, but Lincoln defensive coordinator Jeff Comfort and his unit held to another field foal, as Kallen Hunnicut connected from 29 yards late in the opening quarter to make it 13-7, capping a 12-play, 50-yard drive that took over four minutes.

After the teams traded possessions and Lincoln was forced to punt again, Shiloh connected on a long touchdown on the first play of a drive early in the second quarter.

Shiloh's Cole Creighton found receiver Tate Barnard down the Saints' sideline for a 63-yard score to extend the lead to 20-7.

The Bulldogs responded, again, however.

Brooks had a great ensuing possession going 5-for-5 on the drive, the final completion being a 22-yard pass to Peterson for another score.

"I was really proud of Major. He had bullets flying at him all night, and he just kept calm and cool and made some really nice plays," Ricke said. "There are a couple of momentum plays I wish we could have back, because in a game like this, you need to make those plays."

The drive was six plays for 80 yards and took just 2:27 of time, as Lincoln had made it 20-14.

"I was encouraged by our fight," said Ricke. "This team is very young and inexperienced in some areas, and I thought they were very coachable, especially at halftime. I really am proud of how hard we played throughout."

Shiloh answered with another touchdown drive, needing just under two minutes to go 57 yards in six plays and extend the lead to 27-14.

Lincoln had the ball deep in Shiloh territory late in the half, but the Bulldogs were unable to cash in after Brooks was sacked on 3rd down.

The Bulldogs were driving to start the third quarter, as Lincoln had moved it inside the Shiloh 30-yard line again, but Brooks was picked off on a shot play on 4th down at the Saints' five.

The pass, which served essentially as a punt, pinned Shiloh deep in its own territory. 

And as the Saints were working their way out of trouble, Lincoln's Maverick Rea made a great play, picking off Creighton to get the Bulldogs possession back at the Shiloh 36-yard line.

But four plays later, Brooks was picked off looking for senior tight end Colt Monsey, as Shiloh returned the football to the Bulldogs' side of the field late in the 3rd.

The Saints scored six plays later, as Max Eldridge ran it in from five yards out, making it 35-14 early in the 4th.

"We need to get some guys healthy," Ricke said. "We need to get back to basics in many areas: tackling, blocking, technique stuff. I am excited that we will have a couple of JV games in between the bye week games, and those will help us continue to build depth."

Shiloh added its final score shortly after, as the Saints took advantage of another Bulldogs turnover midway through the 4th quarter.

Brooks was 23-of-32 for 200 yards in the loss, while also running 11 times for 31 yards on the ground.

Peterson had a huge night, hauling in 13 passes for 133 yards.

The Bulldogs had a better night running the football, led by sophomore Max Madrid, who ran 18 times for 75 yards.

Lincoln had 116 rushing yards as a team.

Kade Wilson had three grabs for 26 yards, while Monsey had three catches for 31 yards.

Braxton McGinnis led the Bulldogs defensively with eight total tackles, while junior Isaac Beisel had seven stops and senior Parker Rogers finished with six.

The Bulldogs had 20 first downs and were 5-of-12 on 3rd downs. Lincoln had six penalties, had to punt five times and three turnovers in the loss.

Lincoln is back home to open district play next Friday vs. Tahlequah-Sequoyah.



Photos by Lee Talley