The unranked Lovett Lions beat previously undefeated and No. 3 ranked Wesleyan in a pivotal Region 6 showdown 21-7 on Friday. It was a game they controlled from the start in front of the home crowd, with the Lions up 21-0 through three quarters. The win moves them to 5-1 in league play with a chance to win Region 6 if they can beat No. 2-ranked GAC next week.
But should Lovett's win over Wesleyan be considered an upset? The Lions have never lost to the Wolves and are now 6-0 in the all-time series, which dates back to 2006.
As for this season, it appeared to be a down year for the Lions after they entered the preseason poll at No. 7, then lost their first four games. The first loss was a convincing one to region opponent Pace Academy, 24-0. The Knights are currently the No. 6-ranked team in the state. Lovett's other three losses were all to teams from higher classifications that were ranked at the time, and two of those three games were close.
The Lions have been playing their region schedule since the 0-4 start and as a result, they're on a five-game win streak in which they've outscored their opponents 174-33.
It’s unlikely Lovett re-enters the top 10 this week despite knocking off the No. 3-ranked team, but it would be hard to deny them a spot in the rankings should they beat GAC next week, even though they’d be the only team in the rankings with four losses. But it won’t matter to the Lions if they’re unranked heading into the playoffs, because they’ll be the winners of Region 6 and owners of a coveted No. 1 seed.
Aside from Wesleyan, no other top 10 team lost.
Benedictine rolled to a 68-0 win and has all but clinched the Region 2 title. A Cadets win next week at McIntosh County Academy will seal the deal.
No. 2 GAC beat Holy Innocents 55-7 on Saturday evening to set up the showdown with Lovett.
Rabun County, ranked No. 4, beat one-time perennial playoff contender Washington-Wilkes, 43-10, in Region 8. The Wildcats are one win away from winning the region.
No. 5 Darlington remains undefeated after beating Armuchee 44-6 in Region 7. Of the Tigers’ remaining two opponents, Chatooga appears to be the only one standing in front of them and a region title.
No. 6 Pace Academy continues to look underwhelming in Region 6 play, escaping with a 17-16 home win over region bottom feeder Hapeville Charter. If the playoffs began today, the Knights would be a No. 4 seed.
No. 7 Fitzgerald rebounded from its loss against Brooks County with a 35-14 win over Pelham. The Purple Hurricanes appear to be locked in to the No. 2 seed out of Region 1, with Brooks County closing in on the league title. Speaking of the No. 8 Trojans, they took care of Early County, 47-12.
Jefferson County, ranked No. 9, shutout Harlem 49-0. Barring a massive letdown in the final two games, the Warriors will be a No. 1 seed out of Region 3.
Macon County, which re-entered the rankings last week at No. 10, edged Northeast (Macon) 35-29 in Region 4. It’s looking like a two-team race between the Bulldogs and Lamar County for the league title, but Putnam County could throw it’s name in the hat should it beat Macon County next week.
Historical reference: GHSFHA.org.
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