Lovejoy Welcomes the Princeton Panthers to Founders Week

Freshman Leopards (19) vs  Panthers(27)

JV Leopards                (37) vs  Panthers (6)

Leopards                      (27) vs Panthers (0)

Lovejoy Freshman 10-23-08

The Princeton Panthers managed to hold on to a tenuous lead, as the Freshmen Leopards of Lovejoy staged an impressive second half rally that almost gave them a huge come-from-behind win. In the first half, a slow offensive start and two special-team miscues left our team with a scoring deficit of 27-0. Just as the game appeared to be poised on the edge of "Blowout-Cliff", Coaches Emory and Bettley, found the inspirational key to unlocking this teams fire, because in the second half I witnessed an entirely different team. On the first offensive drive of the second half, Lovejoy took command and moved the length of the field for their first score. Dropping back to pass, Brandon McKenzie found Kenny Sweeny streaking down the visitor sideline. Hauling in the 20 yard pass just inches from the out-of-bounds marker, Sweeney showed excellent body control and found the end zone. After the Lovejoy kick-off, the Leopard defense was also ready to make a statement. On the first defensive series of the second half, the Leopard defense held Princeton to four and out. This series gave Princeton a taste of what would end up as a scoreless second half for the Panthers. Lovejoy continued the offensive success with a fumble recovery and two touchdowns by Hiram Muhammad. An extra shout-out goes to the entire defense and to Kenny Sweeny for an outstanding performance and tough running. Unfortunately Zach Eberhart was injured during the game and appears to be out for the rest of the season. Get well soon Zach. Congrats to the Leopards for showing great character and the desire to never give up.

Written by Mike McInerney

Junior Varsity

Lovejoy won the toss and received the first punt.  On the second play Austin Crisler completed a 15-yard pass to Britt Carmichael who ran the remaining 25 yards for the first touchdown of the game.  The Panthers drive was stopped cold.  Crisler gained 10 yards on a QB keeper.  Sean Gordon received a pass for a 16-yard gain. Possession returned to the Panthers on their 10 yard line.  They were unable to advance, and on an attempted fake punt, fumbled the ball which was recovered by Will Lawson.  Drives by Carmichael, Zander Hamilton and Cameron Seay advanced to the Panthers 1 yard line.

The excitement continued in the second quarter, when Crisler ran for Lovejoy's second touchdown.  On the PAT he proceeded to run back and forth across the field avoiding the Panther defense, finally gaining a 2 point completion, making the score 14 to 0.  The Panthers scored, making it 14 to 6.  Lovejoy moved the ball down to the Panther 33 yard line.  The LJ defense was relentless, pushing Princeton back to their 15 yard line and forcing a punt, which was blocked by Tyler Bailey. One of the Leopards scooped up the ball and ran for a touchdown.  Crisler completed a pass to Kevin Thompson for the 2 point completion, making it 22 to 6.  The half ended with a 12 yard pass from Crisler to Carmichael, an interception by Carmichael, and a 12-yard gain by Hamilton.

In the second half Michael Peterson made at least 5 tackles and applied lots of QB pressure.  Parker Nevil recovered a Panther fumble.  Crisler passed to Cody Stevens for a 10 yard gain.  Peterson recovered a Panther fumble at their 28 yard line.  The Leopards drove down to the 14 yard line but lost possession due to a fumble.  Lovejoy turned it around by driving the Panthers into their end zone and gaining a safety on downs, making the score 24 to 6.

In the final quarter Chris Cunningham sacked the Panther QB at their 28 yard line.  The Leopards regained the ball, and after just 4 plays, Hamilton ran for a touchdown, making the score 30 to 6.  The Panthers didn't have the ball too long before Chad Walsh and Brandon Henderson, approaching from either side, sacked the Panther QB on their 40 yard line.  The Leopards advanced and Seay made the final touchdown.  Seth Tweedie completed the PAT, bringing the final score Lovejoy 37, Princeton 6.

Written by Daris Nevil

Lovejoy Rolls Over Princeton

Performing in front of a Founders Day Crowd (10/24/08) the Leopards pitched a shutout as they hammered the Panthers 27 to zip. Carson Cooper was the Captain at the gate on defense. Cooper intercepted a Princeton pass on the first offensive drive and ran it back to the Panther 35. QB Michael Means took over as he hit Hunter Jarvis for a first down, ran for another and finally scored on a four yard run.  Eddie Puskarich added the extra point.  Cooper quickly got the ball back on a fumble recovery on the next Princeton offensive play. Means machine on offense then rolled. Running back Blake Martin had a long run for a first and Means then ran in for a second touchdown. Puskarich added the PAT.  Austin Bailey took down the return man on the kickoff. Cornerback Kealyn Oliphant kept the turnover streak going as he nimbly picked up a bouncing fumble to once again set up the Leopard offense. Means connected with Jarvis twice and then Puskarich used his leg to put three more on the board for the Leopards with a 34 yard field goal. Means connected with seven passes three to Jarvis three to Michael Mean and one to Parker Norris to set up a second Puskarich field goal of 30 yards. A Tyler Provence tackle forced a Panther punt and the score at end the half, was Lovejoy leading 20 -0.

The Panthers attempted to get some catch up in their bottle in the second half but the Leopard defense held sway. After receiving the kickoff Lovejoy drove the field with a long run by Martin and a first down reception by Parker Norris. However, Means was picked off in the end zone to stop the drive. Byron Butler quickly picked off a Princeton pass to get the ball back to the offense. Means followed that up with a strong run for a first but had the play called back on an illegal motion call. A second Mean's interception gave the ball back to the Panthers. A long run by the Panther's looked to be going for a touchdown but the speedy Butler closed the gap to make the tackle.  Sam Hughey then sacked the Princeton QB to stop the drive. An errant snap over Means head gave the ball back over to the Panthers. Strong plays on defense by Hughey, Chris Rivas and Connor McCaslin ended the drive. With the help of a roughing-the-punter call the Leopards scored on their next drive. The drive included a 53 yard run by Martin, a first down reception by Jarvis and capped with a 13 yard touchdown reception by Norris across the middle. Puskarich added the PAT. Trey Carson and Conner Smith shut down the final Princeton drive to leave the score at 27-0.

Blake Martin an area leader in rushing ended up with 150 yards on 22 carries. Michael Means was 18 of 28 for 208 yards and two touchdowns. Hunter Jarvis had 8 receptions for 89 yards.

The Leopards, winners of three of their last four games are tied for second place in District 13-3A. They will need that momentum as they play an important game against the Nevada Community Braves on Halloween at Lovejoy Stadium.

Written by Keith Wright