Lincoln Christian Bulldogs OK 2025 Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 25% Off Your Subscription By Entering Knight25 In The Coupon Code Area. Enjoy!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's the month of July and that means it's preview time! Throughout the month of July and even into August, we are publishing well over 100 of the most in-depth team previews that you'll find anywhere to get you completely ready for the 2025 football season. This is something that began for us at PRZ-Oklahoma in 2021 and it continues to get bigger and better every single year. We're looking forward to diving deep into the top teams across the state in every class. From defending champions, to the top contenders and plenty of dark horses and other teams to know, we'll have complete coverage every single day. There will be multiple previews dropping every single day! In this post, we take a look at the reigning Class 3A state champion Lincoln Christian Bulldogs!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Lincoln Christian Bulldogs </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #1 In Class 3A</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: Jerry Ricke - 9th Season - 94-13 Record At Lincoln Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 RESULTS (14-0 Record - Class 3A State Champions)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 30th - Beat Victory Christian 56-0<br>Sept. 6th - Beat Heritage Hall 28-20<br>Sept. 13th - Beat Shiloh Christian, AR. 38-14<br>Sept. 27th - Beat Stigler 49-7<br>Oct. 4th - Beat Holland Hall 55-0<br>Oct. 11th - Beat Locust Grove 63-20<br>Oct. 17th - Beat Muldrow 48-0<br>Oct. 25th - Beat Checotah 68-12<br>Nov. 1st - Beat Eufaula 62-7<br>Nov. 8th - Beat Idabel 48-0<br>1st Round - Beat Jay 62-8<br>Quarterfinals - Beat Pauls Valley 49-7<br>Semifinals - Beat Heritage Hall 42-14<br>Championship - Beat Sulphur 28-27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2024 Offensive Scoring Average: 49.7 Points Per Game<br>2024 Defensive Scoring Average: 9.7 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln Christian came into the 2024 season as the defending champion and the team to beat for the Class 3A state title. Despite having to replace the majority of their starters on offense, the Bulldogs actually raised the bar of what they were as a team in 2024. For the second straight year, they would go 14-0 and capture the state championship. The offense averaged just shy of 50 points per game and the defense gave up just shy of 10 points per game. They were dominant from start to finish. We knew the defense had the potential to be very special but the offense just showed that they could reload and it was business as usual in 2024. The Bulldogs took care of business against a competitive non-district schedule and then smashed their way through the district slate. The closest district game was a 42-point victory. That domination continued in the playoffs, including a 42-14 semifinal win against OKC rival Heritage Hall. They would square off with Sulphur in the state championship game and these two ended up playing a classic. It was strength on strength and Lincoln Christian would need a goal line stand after Sulphur scored and would go for two and the win with a little over a minute to play. Lincoln got the stop and would complete their second straight perfect season and bring home the state championship for the third time in six years and the fourth time in program history.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In theory, Lincoln Christian was supposed to take a step back in 2024 after losing the majority of their starters on offense. That didn't happen. So now that they turn the page to 2025 and bring back almost everyone on offense, Lincoln could be very scary on that side of the ball. The offense brings back eight starters on offense, including their quarterback, two dynamic running backs and the majority of their offensive line. This offense averaged just shy of 50 points per game last year. It wouldn't be surprising if they are above that number and arguably the most potent offense in the state, regardless of class. Over the last 15 years, Lincoln Christian has had the reputation of a high-scoring offense and it looks like they are going to live up to that again in 2025. Defensively, the Bulldogs return seven starters on that side of the ball but the guys they have to replace won't be an easy plug and play situation. The Bulldogs lost two All State 3rd Team selections on the defensive side of the ball but the strength should come up front with the defensive line and in the secondary in terms of starting experience. The Lincoln Christian defensive line could be the best DL unit in Class 3A and it would be up there in the state, regardless of class. Lincoln comes into 2025 with a 28-game winning streak, back to back state championships, the target bigger than ever and they are once again the team to beat in Class 3A.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>KEY LOSSES TO GRADUATION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dawson Fullingim - Running Back/Defensive Lineman (All State 3rd Team Selection)<br>Kylan Schultheis - Wide Receiver/Defensive Back (All State Honorable Mention)<br>Mason Torres - Linebacker (All State 3rd Team Selection)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["602991"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6864c740c136c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior running back and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='602991' first='Braeden' last='Baker'] is coming off a breakout 2024 season. He would run for nearly 900 yards and 17 touchdowns while also adding nearly 400 yards and four touchdowns receiving. And Baker's performance in the state championship game in 2024 was arguably the best of his career. We're looking forward to seeing how he can build on that momentum into the 2025 season. His growth from the beginning of the 2024 season to how it ended was noticeable. He'll be splitting time at running back once again but we won't be surprised if he ends up being Lincoln Christian's top option in the running game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><em>(2024 All State Honorable Mention)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1101281"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6864c740c1421"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1101281' first='Carter' last='Ricke'] is going into his second season as QB1 for the Bulldogs and the first season couldn't have been scripted any better. He would throw for nearly 2,900 yards and 43 touchdowns, while completing 75 percent of his passes. As a sophomore, Ricke was starting in the Lincoln Christian secondary, waiting for his chance to take the reins of the Bulldog offense. And in his first year, he helped guide an offense that averaged nearly 50 points per game. And as we look ahead to the 2025 season, Ricke could see his production go up even more. He has his entire offensive line back and some serious firepower at the skill positions.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><em>(2024 All State Honorable Mention)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1164507"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6864c740c14a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1164507' first='CJ' last='Wright'] was one of the best freshmen in Oklahoma last season. Wright was on our radar after a fantastic offseason but we weren't sure how much playing time he would get as a freshman. He earned that playing time in a crowded backfield. He finished with a little over 700 yards and eight touchdowns, along with nearly 350 yards and six touchdowns on just 17 receptions. As we look ahead to the 2025 season, we think Wright could be a player that will flirt with some numbers that we don't see very often. It's not out of the realm of possibility that Wright could eclipse 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a season by the end of his career.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><em>(2024 All State Honorable Mention)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1101282"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6864c740c1514"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior offensive and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1101282' first='Lincoln' last='Torres'] returns to set the tone on both sides of the line of scrimmage. On offense, Torres started every game at left tackle in 2024 and will lead the way on that side of the ball. Defensively, he was a very underrated part of that dominant Lincoln Christian defense. Clogging up the middle of the line of scrimmage, Torres would finish the year with a little over 40 tackles and a pair of sacks. As we said earlier in the preview, we think that the strength (literally) of this Lincoln Christian defense will start on the line of scrimmage and Torres is a big reason why. But don't forget the impact he'll have on offense as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><em>(2024 All State Honorable Mention)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1035134"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6864c740c15ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1035134' first='Rain' last='Ragland'] has been on the radar since the start of his freshman season. Last year, Ragland was one of seven sophomores to earn a spot on one of our three All State teams following the season. The Lincoln standout raised the bar on his dominance on the line of scrimmage. He finished the year with 11 sacks and was part of that Lincoln Christian front seven that we wrote about (what felt like) every other week in 2024. Ragland will look to elevate his game again this season and become one of the more disruptive defensive ends in the state. He also paved the way for Lincoln Christian's running game as a devastating lead blocker at fullback.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><em>(2024 All State 3rd Team Selection)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>MORE NAMES TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brayden McMullen - 2028 Quarterback<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1538892' first='Brennan' last='Mays'] - 2028 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1571686' first='Brett' last='Kaste'] - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1642495' first='Caleb' last='Peterson'] - 2028 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1229527' first='Colt' last=''] Monsey - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Connor Rowlett - 2026 Linebacker<br>Cooper Housley - 2026 Kicker<br>Hudson Farris - 2026 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 SCHEDULE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aug. 29th - Victory Christian</strong><br>- For the second straight year, Lincoln opens their regular season against Victory Christian. Last year, they went on the road and scored a 54-0 victory over the Conquerors. This season, they will host Victory to open the year. The only other time these two have met was in the 2013 playoffs. <br><strong>Sept. 5th - Heritage Hall</strong><br>- Last year was the first time that these two playoff rivals actually met in the regular season. This year, Heritage Hall comes to Tulsa for the return meeting after Lincoln went to OKC last year. Lincoln won the regular season meeting 28-20 and then beat Heritage Hall 42-14 in the semifinals. <br><strong>Sept. 12th - AT Shiloh Christian, AR.</strong><br>- Lincoln Christian will wrap up non-district play in northwest Arkansas against Shiloh Christian. This is the fourth straight year these two teams have met early in the season. Shiloh won the first meeting in 2022 but Lincoln has won the last two, including last year's decisive 38-14 win. <br><strong>Sept. 26th - AT Stigler</strong><br>- District play begins in week four with a road trip to Stigler. Lincoln Christian will look to continue their district winning streak (and hopefully their overall winning streak) here against the Panthers. The Bulldogs have owned this series, including beating Stigler 49-7 last year. <br><strong>Oct. 3rd - Holland Hall</strong><br>- After meeting for years in non-district play or in state championship games, these two finally met in district play last season. Lincoln rolled to a 55-0 win in 2024. The Dutch come to Dennis Byrd Stadium in week five. They haven't beaten Lincoln since the 2020 and 2021 title games.<br><strong>Oct. 10th - AT Locust Grove</strong><br>- In week six, Lincoln Christian will go on the road to face Locust Grove. These two have been district foes since 2020 and it has been a one-sided series. Lincoln Christian has won all five meetings, including last year's 63-20 win. Lincoln has scored at least 55 points in all five meetings.<br><strong>Oct. 16th - Muldrow</strong><br>- On a Fall Break Thursday night, Muldrow comes to Tulsa, looking to get their first ever win over Lincoln Christian. In this “battle of the Bulldogs” it's another district series that has been one-sided. Lincoln Christian won 48-0 last year and will look to continue that dominance. <br><strong>Oct. 24th - Checotah</strong><br>- The Bulldogs will host Checotah in week eight and will be searching for their ninth straight win against the Wildcats. They beat Checotah 68-12 last year and that was the most points they've ever scored in this series. Checotah has to replace last year's PRZ-Oklahoma Player Of The Year. <br><strong>Oct. 31st - AT Eufaula</strong><br>- On a Halloween night, Lincoln hits the road to face Eufaula. These two teams became new district foes last year. Prior to their 2024 meeting, Lincoln hadn't played Eufaula since beating them in the 2008 playoffs. The Bulldogs won last season's meeting 62-7 in week nine. <br><strong>Nov. 7th - AT Idabel</strong><br>- The regular season comes to an end in week ten with the longest road trip of the year. 200-plus miles separate Lincoln Christian and Idabel. The Bulldogs will head to southeastern Oklahoma looking to win their sixth in a row in this series. They won 48-0 in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no doubt that Lincoln Christian has been one of the best programs over the last decade and head coach Jerry Ricke has taken them to new heights since taking over. But it wasn't an easy transition when Ricke became the head ball coach. In his first season as head coach, Lincoln Christian would go 5-7. But ever since, they've been nothing short of dominant. After going 5-7 in his first season, Ricke has gone 89-6 in the last seven seasons, winning at least ten games in each of the last seven seasons. They've captured three state championships and have been to the state title game five times in the last six seasons. That 89-6 record in the last seven seasons is without a doubt one of the best records during that stretch in Oklahoma. And the thing that is impressive is Lincoln always has one of the tougher non-district schedules. They don't shy away from competition and win at a very high level. This season is another example of the Bulldogs looking to compete early in the non-district slate.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>LAST FIVE SEASONS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 - 14-0 - Class 3A State Champions <br>2023 - 14-0 - Class 3A State Champions <br>2022 - 11-2 - Lost In Class 3A Semifinals<br>2021 - 13-1 - Class 3A Runner Ups<br>2020 - 12-1 - Class 3A Runner Ups</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>4 State Championships</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 - Beat Sulphur 28-27<br>2023 - Beat Heritage Hall 48-28<br>2019 - Beat Plainview 42-21<br>2009 - Beat Kingfisher 35-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->