State Title Rematch Goes Off Saturday At Noon
Sulphur will face a team with a 41-game winning streak this Saturday when they battle Lincoln Christian in the state championship game.
The two Bulldog teams, both 13-0 on the season, will square off in a noon kick at Chad Richison Stadium in Edmond.
After the Dogs lost to LC in the state finals last year, a date was circled on the calendar and now both teams have arrived to settle the matter.
Lincoln Christian’s only test in two years came in that championship game last season when Sulphur failed by inches on a two-point conversion attempt that likely would have given them the gold ball.
Sulphur has a unique history of upsetting the apple cart in big games like this. In early September, they defeated Washington, 28-19, and ended the Warrior’s 45-game win streak which was the longest in the state at that time. In the mid-1960’s they stopped Lindsay’s 30-game win streak, then the longest in the state.
A Sulphur win this Saturday will take a massive effort, however.
LC is coming off of two state titles in a row and have only allowed 50 points this season in 13 games.
“They are big and physical up front and have arguably the most electric offense in Oklahoma,” said head Sulphur coach, Corey Cole.
LC is led by senior quarterback, Carter Ricke, who has thrown for 2,600 yards and 40 TD’s and another 600 yards rushing and 7 TD’s.
“They have athletes all over the field with Braeden Baker who has 1,200 yards rushing and 25 TD’s, and CJ Wright who has 900 yards rushing and 9 TD’s along with 325 yards receiving and another 8 scores,” said Cole.
Sulphur will have to contend with a big and physical upfront LC team as well, who Cole says is one of the best in the state. They are led on defense by tackle Lincoln Torres.
“Lincoln Christian is well coached and I have the utmost respect for Coach Ricke, his coaching staff, and the Lincoln football team,” said Cole. “They play the game the right way and have been the standard of 3A football for several years. Their program is second to none and we will have our hands full this Saturday, but it is definitely a challenge that we look forward to.
“We have had this date circled for over a year now, something that we have worked extremely hard to get back to. Losing by one point and less than 6 inches has had us motivated and ready to get back to this game. Lots of hard work and challenges along the journey this year but this group has met every one of them headon and found a way to succeed through every one of them.”
Keys To The Game
Cole said there are several simple keys to victory this Saturday.
“We have made it to the game we wanted by trusting the process and believing in our brotherhood and culture and trying to protect it at all cost,” he said.
A Sulphur victory would come by the Dogs playing fast and physical, great on defense in alignment and tackling, and taking care of the ball, said Cole.
“Be the best version of ourselves in everything we do and above all, have fun” he said. “These guys have earned it and we need to enjoy the moment that we have earned and just go play our game. Simply put, just finish,” he concluded.
