After a slow start, No. 1 Lincoln remained calm and stuck to the game plan.

The offense found its groove and the defense continued to force turnovers, as the Bulldogs  overcame a 14-0 deficit to win the 2A-1-3 district opener 35-21 Friday night vs. Sequoyah Tahlequah.

Lincoln scored 35 straight points after falling into a two-touchdown deficit, as the Bulldogs found some success in the run game and the defense continued to deliver with big plays.

Lincoln (3-1, 1-0) was comfortable in a tight game after facing highly-ranked opponents Jones, Heritage Hall and Shiloh Christian (AR) in its first three games, and it showed.

"That is why you play the three non-district games we did," said Lincoln head coach Jerry Ricke. "Those games really helped us learn to overcome adversity and learn to have to climb out of a hole."

"Our coaching staff has been together for so long, coached in so many big games, and I thought they all were fantastic about staying level-headed and sticking with the plan."

It was another tremendous defensive performance from Lincoln and defensive coordinator Jeff Comfort, as the Bulldogs forced three turnovers, including a pick six by junior safety Caleb Peterson early in the 4th quarter to go up 28-14.

"We knew Sequoyah had some great weapons and a QB that was able to get them the ball," said Lincoln. "You have to give their players and their coaching staff tons of credit for making it tough on our defense."

After Sequoyah scored early in the 2nd quarter, the Bulldogs held Sequoyah scoreless for over 29 minutes of game time, allowing Lincoln to take a 35-14 lead with just three minutes left to play.

"I was proud of Coach Comfort and his ability to adjust sone things at halftime," said Ricke. "We got a couple of huge turnovers and anytime you convert one of those into points, that is just a huge lift for your team."

Sequoyah (3-1, 0-1) struck first, overcoming an early interception and pick six, which was called back, by Lincoln senior corner Eli Summerlin.

The Indians got a 41-yard punt return by Shaystin Watie to set up shop at the Bulldogs' 30.

Sequoyah running back Ridge Blackbear punched it in from five yards out just two plays later to go ahead 7-0 with less than a minute remaining in the 1st.

Lincoln sophomore quarterback Major Brooks was picked off on the ensuing drive, as Sequoyah made the Bulldogs pay by quickly extending the lead.

The Indians marched 55 yards in just seven plays, scoring on a 2-yard run by Blackbear with 10:25 to go in the half.

That's when the Lincoln offense got going, as the Bulldogs answered immediately.

Lincoln sophomore running back Max Madrid ripped off a 15-yard run to start the drive, followed by a 21-yard pass from Brooks to senior tight end Colt Monsey to get inside the Indians' 25.

Two plays later, Brooks found junior receiver Cayden Mathruin for his first career touchdown, a 24-yard score.

The four-play, 60-yard drive that took just 2:09 cut the Indians lead in half with 8:02 to go in the 2nd quarter.

Comfort and the Lincoln defense forced a punt on Sequoyah's next possession before the Bulldogs evened the score.

Madrid ran for 22, followed by Brooks completions to junior Braxton McGinnis and Mathruin for first downs.

Brooks picked up 17 yards with his legs on the following two plays before finding Peterson for 14 to get inside the Indians' 10.

On the next play, he connected with classmate receiver Kade Wilson for a 9-yard TD on the final play of the first half to tie the game.

"Major was getting pressured early and often, but I though he was able to maintain his composure well," said Ricke. "He got off a few of his reads soon than I would like, but he's a guy that just knows how to get the job done."

"He made some fantastic throws and had some nice scrambles. He continues to get better and better with each game."

It was more of the same to start the third quarter, as Lincoln forced a three-and-out before taking its first lead of the game.

Lincoln took a short field and scored in just six plays, as Madrid capped off the 40-yard drive with a 7-yard TD run with 8:30 to go in the 3rd.

Sequoyah would respond with its longest drive of the night, picking up five first downs and moving inside the Lincoln 20.

But the Bulldog defense held.

Lincoln forced a field goal attempt from Sequoyah's Hudson Hendricks but it missed from 35 yards, as the 14-play, 65-yard drive came up empty and the Bulldogs took over.

The Bulldogs had to punt back to the Indians after just one first down, but it wasn't long before Peterson made the biggest play of the night.

After the Indians picked up a first down to move things out to midfield, Peterson tracked an errant pass from Sequoyah quarterback Crayton Sapp and hauled it in from his free safety spot.

Peterson, who finished with six catches for 75 yards on the night offensively, flipped it into receiver mode, following some blocks and turning on the jets to race 47 yards the other way.

The interception returned for a score made it 28-14 with 8:51 left to play.

Lincoln's final score came after the Bulldogs recovered a fumble and forced a turnover on downs on the Indians next two possessions.

Madrid ran for 37 yards to get Lincoln inside the Sequoyah 15 yard line before McGinnis capped things off with a 4-yard TD run.

"We really struggled to get the run game going, especially in the 1st quarter," said Ricke. "We made a few adjustments and just kept trying to get some positives out of it."

Madrid finished with 117 yards on 13 carries, while Lincoln ran for 149 yards as a team on 7.1 yards per rush.

"I was pleased that we were able to wear them down in the 2nd half and that is when Max had sone really good, tough runs. Braxton also got in there and got a score so I was really happy for him. "

Lincoln had scored 35 straight points to take a three touchdown lead with 3:03 to play.

Sequoyah added a touchdown with two minutes to go and recovered an onside kick, but failed on 4th down before crossing midfield.

Lincoln had 373 yards in the win and averaged 7.5 yards per play.

Brooks was 21-of-29 for 221 yards passing. Wilson had seven grabs for 64 yards, while Mathurin had three catches for 41 yards.

"It was a big time win," said Ricke. "When we looked at our schedule, we obviously knew what we were getting with the first three non-district games, And then you throw Tahlequah Sequoyah right there in game four and we knew it was going to be a tough stretch."

Sequoyah had 383 total yards in the loss and 18 first downs offensively.

"I think they (Sequoyah) will be a factor deep into the playoffs this year," said Ricke. "They have a great coaching staff and very experienced players. I was just really proud of our guys for finding a way to get that big first win in districts."

Lincoln overcame being 0-of-7 on 3rd down and having 10 penalties for 100 yards in the win.

The Bulldogs have now forced nine turnovers in four games.

Lincoln will be at Victory on Friday for another district contest at 7 p.m.



Photos by Lee Talley