Lincoln Christian uses defense, especially brother act, to fend off Arkansas power Shiloh Christian

TULSA, Oklahoma - With a loss to Shiloh Christian last year still fresh on its mind, Lincoln Christian was determined to ensure there would be no repeat when the Arkansas private school made a visit Friday night to meet the Bulldogs at Dennis Byrd Stadium.

The game also marked Tucker Barnard’s first trip back to Oklahoma since he left Stillwater to take over the reins at Shiloh back in July. Barnard coached the Pioneers to the 2022 Class 6AII state championship last December.

But on Friday, he went back across the state line without his new team celebrating a win as the Bulldogs’ defense kept the Saints in check.

Lincoln Christian relied on defense to shut down Shiloh, taking a 20-14 win and remaining unbeaten at 4-0 on the young 2023 season.

All the scoring was done in the first half with a pick-six by sophomore Malakai Dillard for 52 yards, which ended up as the Bulldogs’ final TD of the night.

Dillard’s score was the first of three interceptions that proved crucial. The second came from his younger brother, freshman Kailib Dillard, in the end zone, stopping the Saints on a fourth-down try.

“I ran a post on the outside. I went up and I could feel the ball in my hands and make a play,” Kailib Dillard said. “When I made that play, I knew we were going to win the game. It just made me happy.”

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The last interception came from Kylan Schultheis, whose pick sealed the game with 24 seconds left.

“It felt great,” Schultheis said. “(Bulldog) Coach (Jerry) Ricke came up to make after I made a mistake.

"He said, ‘I trust you. I wouldn’t have you out there if I didn’t trust you. Stay out there and keep playing. A play is going to come to you.’”

A play did come to Schultheis. An important one that was crucial as a win was saved for Lincoln.

Sawyer Brooks, who plays defensive end for the Bulldogs, also got a big sack before Kailib Dillard’s fourth-down pick.

Lincoln Christian also outgained Shiloh Christian, 374-279.

The Bulldogs got a break in between the sack and the younger Dillard’s pick. The Saints actually caught a passing TD in the end zone, but it was negated by a penalty.

Shiloh struck first on a 15-yard TD by quarterback Evan Baker on a keeper around the right. The Saints were up, 7-0, with 4:36 left in the opening quarter,

On the next drive, Lincoln quarterback Luke Milligan connected with Connor Rowlett, who moved a few yards into the end zone after the catch for the tying touchdown with 1:10 to go.

Sawyer Brooks put the Bulldogs on top, 14-7, with an 8-yard run in the second quarter

Malakai Dillard cut off a Saint receiver on a rout and picked off a pass and took it back to the house 55 yards for a TD.

“This was something we worked on in practice,” the older Dillard said. “I saw the ball, it went right into my hands. There was a couple of linemen there trying to get me and I beat them.”

And he bolted for the end zone.

The extra point was blocked and it was 20-7 with 6:39 left in the half.

Shiloh struck back quickly with a long pass play for a TD to cut the lead to six, 20-14. But the Bulldogs kept the Saints out of the end zone, particularly after halftime.

And Lincoln got revenge for a 42-35 loss on the Saints' home turf last season while keeping its undefeated season alive. With plenty of credit to a strong defensive effort.

Brooks finished with 46 yards on nine carries while fellow running back Moses Fullingim ran for 144 yards on 28 handoffs.

The Bulldog defense finished the night limiting Shiloh running back Bo Williams to 29 carries for 83 yards.

“We knew we had to stop their running back,” Brooks said. “We have one of the best defenses in the state (of Oklahoma). I truly believe that.

“We knew they (Shiloh) were one of the best teams in Arkansas and they showed it."

Photo of Lincoln Christian's Malakai Dillard (5) by Joey Johnson, Tulsa World

-- Mike Moguin | @SBLiveOK