Our First Look At The 3A Title Game

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><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></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class 3A state championship game is set! #1 Lincoln Christian will square off with #2 Sulphur in Edmond on Saturday at noon. It will be the second straight year that these two meet with the state championship on the line. Last year, Lincoln Christian prevailed to win their second straight state championship and now they're gunning for a third straight, along with a 41-game winning streak. Sulphur has had this date circled on the calendar since walking off the field in Edmond last year. The Bulldogs came up inches short of the gold ball in 2024 and now want to finish the job. In this post, we take our first look at both teams prior to their title clash on Saturday. Be sure to check out our <strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@PrepRedzoneOklahoma">PRZ-Oklahoma YouTube Channel</a></strong> for exclusive (and free) video content, including interviews with both head coaches!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#1 LINCOLN CHRISTIAN BULLDOGS (13-0) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 29th - Beat Victory Christian 63-0<br>Sept. 5th - Beat Heritage Hall 35-6<br>Sept. 12th - Beat Shiloh Christian, AR. 41-33<br>Sept. 25th - Beat Stigler 49-0<br>Oct. 3rd - Beat Holland Hall 62-0<br>Oct. 10th - Beat Locust Grove 63-0<br>Oct. 16th - Beat Muldrow 49-3<br>Oct. 24th - Beat Checotah 56-0<br>Oct. 31st - Beat Eufaula 62-0<br>Nov. 7th - Beat Idabel 56-0<br>1st Round - Beat Jay 56-0<br>Quarterfinals - Beat Kingfisher 55-0<br>Semifinals - Beat Heritage Hall 28-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>HOW THEY GOT HERE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The target is getting bigger and bigger on Lincoln Christian's back After winning two straight state titles and 28 straight games, Lincoln came into this season as the favorites to lift another gold ball. The season opened with big games against Heritage Hall and Arkansas powerhouse Shiloh Christian but Lincoln took care of business. Then came the most dominant district run that we saw this season. Lincoln Christian beat their seven district opponents in historic fashion, giving up only one field goal during district play. They shut out six of the seven district opponents and then shut out their first two playoff opponents. Then came a semifinal rematch with Heritage Hall. The Bulldogs prevailed once again, tightening the grip they have on that rivalry. They did give up their first touchdown in well over two months but they still won 28-7, punching their ticket to the state championship game for the third consecutive season. They'll see Sulphur for the second straight year in Edmond. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY<br>4-3 Record - 8th Title Appearance</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln Christian is back in the state championship game for the third straight year and it'll be the sixth time in the last seven seasons. There is no doubt that Lincoln Christian has been one of the best programs in the state during this stretch, regardless of class and they also bring that 41-game winning streak into Edmond on Saturday afternoon. Lincoln Christian won their first state title in 2009 and would have to wait a decade to win their second. But ever since then, the Bulldogs have been rolling and have an opportunity to bring home the fifth gold ball in school history Saturday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>OFFENSIVE PRODUCTION - 51.9 Points Per Game</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lincoln Christian has had one of the best offensive units in the state this season and what's scary is how balanced they can be with the run and the past. The Bulldogs are averaging just shy of 52 points per game this season and they are equally dominant with the pass and run game. In Lincoln Christian's 28-7 semifinal win, that was the first time they didn't score at least 50 points in nearly two months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DEFENSIVE PRODUCTION - 3.8 Points Per Game</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the offense has been potent, the defense might be the best in the state, regardless of class. The Bulldogs come into Saturday's state championship game giving up only 3.8 points per game. Prior to their semifinal win over Heritage Hall, the Bulldogs had given up only three points in the previous nine games. If the quote "defense wins championships" is true, Lincoln Christian might be well on their way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#2 SULPHUR BULLDOGS (13-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 5th - Beat Washington 28-19<br>Sept. 12th - Beat Davis 34-14<br>Sept. 19th - Beat Cache 42-7<br>Sept. 26th - Beat Perkins-Tryon 42-20<br>Oct. 3rd - Beat McLoud 60-0<br>Oct. 10th - Beat Lone Grove 53-21<br>Oct. 16th - Beat Bristow 52-14<br>Oct. 24th - Beat Seminole 35-0<br>Oct. 31st - Beat Victory Christian 59-0<br>Nov. 7th - Beat Mannford 48-0<br>1st Round - Beat Anadarko 63-12<br>Quarterfinals - Beat Holland Hall 77-28<br>Semifinals - Beat Perkins-Tryon 35-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>HOW THEY GOT HERE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we mentioned earlier, the Sulphur Bulldogs have had this date circled ever since walking off the field at UCO last year. After coming up inches short of possibly winning the state title, Sulphur came into this season on a mission to make it back to Edmond. They were challenged in the month of September by Washington, Davis and Perkins-Tryon. They won them all and went on an absolute roll from there. They dominated their way to a district championship and finished off the regular season undefeated for the first time in a few decades. Their domination didn't end there. They beat up Anadarko and Holland Hall in the first two rounds, setting up a semifinal rematch with district foe Perkins-Tryon. It's hard to beat the same team twice but Sulphur got it done. After beating them 42-20 in the regular season, they won 35-8 in the rematch to punch their ticket to the state title game. And they'll get the team that they've wanted all season and that's Lincoln Christian. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY<br>2-3 Record - 6th Title Appearance</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sulphur has had this date circled and it's finally here. The Bulldogs from southern Oklahoma are back in the state championship game for the sixth time in program history. Sulphur made three straight state title games back in 2002-2004 and they captured two gold balls during that stretch. They also made the 2018 state championship game but fell to Heritage Hall. This year, they face a Lincoln Christian squad that they ran into last season and came up inches short of a potential third gold ball. This is a match-up that Sulphur has wanted and selfishly, we have wanted to see again. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>OFFENSIVE PRODUCTION - 48.3 Points Per Game</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sulphur's offense is still just as potent as ever. Despite having a new quarterback and having to replace several key offensive linemen, the Bulldogs flirted with averaging 50 points per game this season. In fact, they're averaging nearly 60 points per game in their three playoff games. Led by a potent rushing attack and plenty of skill talent, Sulphur is incredibly hard to stop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DEFENSIVE PRODUCTION - 11 Points Per Game</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When your offense is averaging nearly 50 points per game, it's easy to overlook just how dominant the defensive side of the ball has been. Sulphur has given up 11 points per game this season and they have to be playing with a ton of confidence as they go into the title game. They'll need that confident play to try and slow down Lincoln Christian's balanced offensive attack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->