Lovett nipped 31-28 on Late Field Goal

Blessed Trinity defeated Lovett 31-28 on Friday night, thanks to Davis Plowman’s 49-yard field goal with 16 seconds remaining. The senior kicker had a perfect night, connecting on all three field goal attempts and two PAT’s. With the win Blessed Trinity remains undefeated in Region 6B-AA, with victories over Lovett (5-2 overall/2-1 in region) and Westminster (3-3/2-1).

Plowman’s game-winning field goal came after a critical fourth-down conversion by Blessed Trinity. With the score tied and 0:36 on the clock, Titans head coach Tim McFarlin opted to go for it on fourth and nine at midfield, rather than punt the ball and settle for overtime. The bold call paid off as junior quarterback Spencer McManes found teammate Dylan Cote on a quick pass for 12 yards and the first down.

“[The play] was an under route; we motioned the inside receiver and ran him off the outside,” explained McFarlin. "It’s actually a play Mike [Muschamp, Lovett’s coach] likes to run. They do that a lot and do it well.”

As for the decision to attempt the long-range field goal, McFarlin said, “I have a lot of confidence in Davis. He has a big leg, and you have to give a kid like him an opportunity to win the game in that situation.” Coach Muschamp agreed. “It was a great kick. Great composure as well. You have to give the kid all the credit in the world.”

Lovett tied the score at 28 early in the fourth quarter on a 10-yard run by sophomore tailback Grant Haley. That score came in response to a 9-yard touchdown by Blessed Trinity’s running back, Jordan Denson, on the final play of the third quarter. Denson totaled two td’s for the game, and 119 rushing yards.

The Titans started the scoring with a 42-yard drive on their first possession of the game, resulting in a Plowman field goal. Lovett answered with an 80-yard drive, capped off by a Luke Hart touchdown, to give the Lions a 7-3 lead. The game was back-and-forth the rest of the way, as Blessed Trinity scored twice to jump ahead 17-7, then Lovett scored twice to reclaim the lead 21-17.

Plowman's second field goal of the night came from 43 yards out and cut Lovett's lead to a signle point. A two-point conversion following the Titans go-ahead touchdown made the score 28-21 heading into the final quarter of play. 

Lovett outgained Blessed Trinity on the ground by a 100-yard margin (234-134). But the Titans finished with more total yards (352-321), thanks to solid quarterback play by McManes. He completed 12 passes on 20 attempts, for 209 yards, with no turnovers. He also stepped up when his team needed him most, converting five times on third down, plus the critical fourth down pass that set up the game-winning field goal.

Haley led Lovett with 109 rushing yards, while teammate Spencer Lee added 99 on just five carries.  Linebacker John Coletti paced the Lions' defense with 11 unassisted tackles. Cornerback Winn Martin finished with nine tackles, and also limited the Titans’ star receiver Chris Dore to 63 yards on four receptions.

Lovett and Blessed Trinity each continue with region play next Friday, Oct. 21. The Lions will host South Atlanta, while the Titans head to Grady Stadium to take on Therrell. Both games are scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

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Harrison 37, Campbell 7

After snapping a 13-game losing skid last week, it was a tough Friday night for Campbell, which gave up 37 first half points and was blitzed by the visiting Harrison Hoyas.

The loss dropped the Spartans to 1-6 overall and 1-3 in Region 4-AAAAA play. Harrison moved to 2-5 and 1-3.

The Hoyas defense dominated at Richard McDaniel Stadium as Campbell could only muster 128 total yards and just five first downs. The Campbell run game produced just 33 yards on 20 attempts (1.65 yards per carry).

The balanced Hoyas passed for 167 yards and ran for 165 for a 332 total to go along with 15 first downs. See the MDJ’s coverage of the game here.

Campbell’s lone score came on an 8-yard scoring pass from Ricky James to Josh Miller in the fourth quarter. The Spartans, who have lost eight straight at home, close out their 2011 home schedule next Friday against South Cobb.