3A State: Lincoln Christian Players To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><strong><em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em></strong></em></strong></em></strong></em></strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class 3A state championship game is set! #1 Heritage Hall will square off with #2 Lincoln Christian in Edmond on Saturday at 7PM. These two teams have been the top two teams in the class all season and they will renew their playoff rivalry with the state championship on the line on Saturday night. The Chargers are looking for their second straight gold ball while Lincoln Christian is looking to return to the mountain top before both programs head up to Class 4A next year. In this post, we're putting the spotlight on the Bulldogs with ten players to watch from Lincoln Christian and a few more names to know. Later today, we'll release our official Class 3A state championship preview, with everything you need to know before Saturday night's game. Keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma for more state championship content in each class!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>RELATED</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/11/class-3a-title-first-look-2/">– 3A Championship First Look</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/11/class-3a-championship-preview-3/">- 3A Championship Preview</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/11/3a-state-heritage-hall-players-to-watch-2/">- Heritage Hall's Players To Watch</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>LINCOLN CHRISTIAN'S TEN PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["110744"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"We kick off this breakdown with one of the more experienced players on this year's Lincoln Christian squad. Senior offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='110744' first='Caden' last='Ricke'] has well over 50 starts at this point in his varsity career. He's been a big part of teams that have made runs to the title game and he's hungry to do what his older brother Chase did in 2019 and that's cap off a special career with a state championship. This Lincoln Christian offensive line might be one of the better units in the state and we're not just talking about Class 3A. This is a group that has talent and experience and that will be important on Saturday.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1101281"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Lincoln Christian has some serious talent coming up in the 2026 and 2027 classes. One of the sophomore standouts that has emerged this season is [player_tooltip player_id='1101281' first='Carter' last='Ricke'] in the defensive backfield. Ricke is one of the team's leaders in interceptions and also has nearly 50 tackles on the season. As the Bulldogs look to slow down some of Heritage Hall's weapons on offense, Ricke will play a big role at the safety position. But next year, we could be looking at the next QB1 for the Bulldogs. And anybody who has paid attention to Lincoln football over the last decade knows that Lincoln QBs are successful.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["154216"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"We mentioned the talent and overall experience on the Lincoln Christian offensive line earlier. And another example of that is senior offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='154216' first='David' last='Smithwick'] along the Lincoln front. And like Ricke, Smithwick has a ton of starts under his belt and should be ready for the big game. But when we look at the Lincoln Christian offensive line, Smithwick might be the best prospect for the next level. And you can't argue with the results of this unit. They've paved the way for a truly special offense. It features a 2,500 yard passer and not one, but two running backs who have over 1,000 yards.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1030447"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Lincoln Christian freshman defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1030447' first='Kailib' last='Dillard'] has all the makings to becoming a special talent for the Bulldogs moving forward. He is a terrific athlete and has already shown signs of being a potential game changer for the Bulldogs in the secondary. And like we mentioned with Ricke, the Lincoln Christian secondary is going to have a big test ahead of them. Heritage Hall has weapons at wide receiver. Containing them is going to be a huge key for the Bulldogs defensively But Dillard and company have done a great job against stud wide receivers already this season on multiple occasions.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["127357"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"There aren't many guarantees in Oklahoma high school football, but you can make the argument that Lincoln Christian quarterbacks are as close to a guarantee over the last decade. The latest example has been senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='127357' first='Luke' last='Milligan'] and he's taken his game to new heights this season. The Lincoln senior has completed a little over 70 percent of his passes this season. He's also coming into this week with nearly 2,700 yards and 36 touchdowns and only three interceptions. In fact, he hasn't thrown an interception since week one. He's a special talent at the quarterback position.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["979658"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Every season, we see players enjoy breakout years after they were somewhat or completely unknown coming into the season. Lincoln Christian sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='979658' first='Malakai' last='Dillard'] is that player for Lincoln Christian. The sophomore standout is incredibly special and has emerged as the hands down top target for the Bulldog passing attack. He leads the team in receiving with nearly 900 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also turns around and leads the team in interceptions. He also has a pair of defensive touchdowns this season. Dillard got off to a fantastic start this season and has not slowed down yet.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["867298"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Lincoln Christian's defense has completely reloaded this season after they were one of the top units in Class 3A last season and honestly, in the state. One of the emerging players for the Bulldogs on offense this fall has been junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='867298' first='Mason' last='Torres'] and he came out of the gates swinging this season. He's second on the team in tackles this season. And when you look at this match-up, the Lincoln Christian linebackers are going to play a massive role. Heritage Hall's quarterback is one of the best athletes in the state. Torres and company will need to know where he is at all times.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["621291"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"After watching Lincoln Christian back in the spring, and seeing their strong offensive line, we thought that senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='621291' first='Moses' last='Fullingim'] was primed for a big senior season. It's hard to argue that it hasn't played out like that. Fullingim has nearly 1,500 yards on the ground this season and has 20 touchdowns this fall. He's done an excellent job replacing John Washington at the running back position this season. Fullingim was known more as a defensive lineman prior to this season. But this fall, there haven't been many running backs in Class 3A that have dominated like Fullingim.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["1035134"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"The second freshman on this breakdown is defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1035134' first='Rain' last='Ragland'] and we're fired up to see what he can do on Saturday night. Prior to the week one game against Jones, head coach Jerry Ricke mentioned that he had a few freshman worth noting and Ragland was one of them. And the freshman has had a terrific season for his first year in high school. Physically, he reminds us a lot of former Lincoln Christian linebacker Tyler Johnson and he was a tackling machine the last two years. Ragland does a terrific job of setting the tone for the game up front and on the line of scrimmage each week.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["1091729"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Lincoln Christian might have a handful of players that could fit under the u0022breakout staru0022 category. Senior running back and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1091729' first='Sawyer' last='Brooks'] has been terrific this season for the Bulldogs. He leads the team in tackles on the defensive side of the ball but he's also given Fullingim and the Lincoln offense another weapon to use on the offensive side of the ball. Brooks also has over 1,000 yards this season and has reached the end zone 15 times. And it feels like he has gotten stronger as the season has gone on. His production, specifically on the offensive side of the ball, continues to get better and better.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6568a13099924"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>MORE NAMES TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>PLAYER</strong></td><td><strong>CLASS</strong></td><td><strong>POSITION</strong></td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1101273' first='Caden' last='Barton']</td><td>2024</td><td>Linebacker</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='884992' first='Dawson' last='Fullingim']</td><td>2025</td><td>Defensive Lineman</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1101274' first='Grayson' last='Swafford']</td><td>2024</td><td>Offensive Lineman</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1101277' first='Jack' last='Milligan']</td><td>2025</td><td>Wide Receiver</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1101282' first='Lincoln' last='Torres']</td><td>2026</td><td>Defensive Lineman</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1056549' first='Micah' last='Kruse']</td><td>2025</td><td>Linebacker</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->