Due to some uncommon success, the Lovejoy Wildcats haven’t had the opportunity to respond to a regular season loss for two years. But this Friday they will have the chance to do so when they welcome the Alpharetta Raiders to Twelve Oaks Stadium.

Before Lovejoy fell short to Colquitt County 14-7 in Moultrie last Friday, the Wildcats had won 21 consecutive regular season games.

“I guess it was going to happen sooner or later,” Lovejoy coach Al Hughes said. “We chose to play this schedule. We could have played anybody and padded the schedule to win but that wasn’t what our goal was. Our goal is to play the best in the best so we could finally be the best.”

During the defensive struggle against Colquitt County, the Wildcats held the Packers to 210 yards of offense (Travis Custis had 141 yards of his own on the ground) but surrendered scores on a pair of trick plays.

“Our defense played really well,” Hughes said. “There were just tons of penalties. When you go on the road, especially in a place where there is a powerhouse football program, you are going to get some of that officiating that you have to deal with.”

Alejandro Bennifield threw for 165 yards, including a touchdown pass to Brandon Davis.

“We had our opportunities to win the game but we played a great football team in a great environment for football,” Hughes said.

Now, the Wildcats shift their attention to the Alpharetta Raiders, who are coming off an impressive 38-9 win over Harrison last Friday.

“Alpharetta had a great year last year,” Hughes said. “This is exactly what we wanted—to be able to play some really good people.”

Josh Dobbs ran for two touchdowns and threw another for the Raiders (1-1), who scored the first 21 points of the game.

“They do a great job of spreading you out and throwing the ball,” Hughes said.

Alpharetta forced Harrison into four turnovers, including a fumble which Michael Downing returned for a touchdown.

Hughes expects the same aggression from the Raiders’ defense Friday.

“They are coming to get you,” he said. “When they come into town they are going to be firing bullets from every cylinder so we better be ready to play.”

This will be Lovejoy’s first time lining up across from Alpharetta.