District 3A-7 coaches poll

1. Lincoln Christian (10-3) 2. Sequoyah Tahlequah (5-6)

3. Inola (8-3)

4. Keys (6-5)

5. Locust Grove (5-5)

6. Jay (1-9)

7. Westville (4-6) *Last year’s record in parentheses

Defending champion: Lincoln Christian

Lincoln Christian bounced back from a season-opening loss to eventual state champion Jones to go undefeated in district play and reach the 3A state quarterfinals. Senior Adler Isbell and junior Dillon Hair will provide Lincoln Christian with a solid run game, and a veteran linebacking corps will anchor the defense for the defending 3A-7 district champion.

Returning stars

•Micah Gardner, LB, Lincoln Christian: The senior linebacker finished his junior year with 88 tackles. Gardner has emerged as one of the team’s best leader for a Bulldogs squad that’ll be forced to put plenty of younger players on the field in 2017.

•Justin Littlebear, OL/DL, Locust Grove: The 6-foot-2, 285pound junior is a dominant lineman on both sides of the ball. He’ll help pave the way for senior running back Matt Williams. He’ll also be a key on defense after racking up 46 tackles, six tackles for loss and three sacks as a sophomore.

Key game: Sequoyah Tahlequah at Lincoln Christian, Week 4

Lincoln Christian begins district play at home against a Sequoyah Tahlequah squad vying for the Bulldogs’ crown. Both teams feature potent rushing attacks and gritty defenses. Lincoln Christian routed Sequoyah Tahlequah in 2016, but this game could come down to whoever has the ball last.

JOE BUETTNER, STAFF WRITER

It took Dominic Richardson one juke to show he’s for real.

McGuinness’ sophomore running back stepped to his right and then juked that direction even more Thursday night. He then broke down the sideline for a 59-yard touchdown run.

It was just the second play of the Irish’s scrimmage against perennial contender Lawton MacArthur at Pribil Stadium.

“I just saw the lane and took advantage of it,” Richardson said. “I think the offensive line did their job pretty well.”

Richardson was the backup running back last season as McGuinness made it to the Class 5A state championship game. In the offseason, he added 25 pounds.

Now, he’s ready to be the starter and perhaps star.

“I’ve done this a long time, and you get some specials guys every once in a while,” McGuinness coach Justin Jones said. “He’s certainly electric.”

OKLAHOMAN] [PHOTO BY DOUG HOKE, THE McGuinness sophomore running back Dominic Richardson runs down the sideline toward a touchdown as Lawton MacArthur defenders pursue on Thursday night in a high school scrimmage at Pribil Stadium.