Lovett breezed into the quarterfinals of the Class AA playoffs with a 58-0 win over East Jackson in a game marred by several East Jackson personal fouls, including one that ended the game prematurely.
The game ended with 20 seconds left on the clock after the fifth personal foul was assessed on an Eagles player while Lovett was kneeling on the ball.
“The [Eagles] got a little out of control and a little frustrated,” Lovett coach Mike Muschamp said. “It’s unfortunate, but that’s okay.”
The Lions took a 38-0 halftime lead, essentially putting the game to bed before it was over. Running back Zach Boden continued to add to his highlight reel with a 64-yard touchdown run in the first quarter that dazzled the home crowd
Initially designed as a simple off-tackle run, Boden cut back to the left, made one would-be tackler miss and was off to the races behind a convoy of fellow Lions.
The junior finished with three touchdowns and 148 yards on eight carries.
The Lions racked up over 300 yards rushing thanks in large part to a near-perfect offensive line.
“We felt like our kids are starting to get pretty good up front and are starting to gel a little bit,” Muschamp said. “When you take a month off in the middle of your season because of a flood or something like that, it messes up your timing and it messes up what you do on a regular basis and these kids have fought hard to get back in game-shape.”
After a shaky first throw—which was intercepted—quarterback Jonathan Carkhuff settled down to pick apart the Eagles’ defense to the tune of 138 yards and two touchdowns.
In the first half, Carkhuff hooked up with senior wide receiver Max Williams twice for touchdowns, including a perfect throw and catch in the second quarter for a 36-yard strike. Williams finished with three catches for 70 yards to go along with his two scores.
Defensive back Thomas Patton had an excellent game on defense, accounting for two interceptions (for a total of 64 return yards) and 2.5 tackles.
Taylor Mack added to the Lions’ running game with one touchdown in the first half. He would finish with 42 yards on four carries and one score to go along with some stellar play in the secondary on defense, including a touchdown-saving tackle in the first half.
Up next for Lovett will be 10-0-1 Charlton County out of Folkston, Ga. The win marked the fourth consecutive season that Lovett has made it to the quarterfinals.
