Football Preview: Lovejoy Leopards vs. Denison Yellow Jackets
Lovejoy is 8-0 against Denison since September of 2014, and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Friday. The Lovejoy Leopards will welcome the Denison Yellow Jackets at 7:30 p.m. One thing working in Lovejoy's favor is that they have posted at least 31 points in their last six contests.
Lovejoy is probably headed into the game with a chip on their shoulder considering Walnut Grove just ended the team's five-game winning streak on Friday. They took a 41-37 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Wildcats.
Despite their loss, Lovejoy saw several players rise to the challenge and make noteworthy plays. Jacob Richard Janecek, who threw for 273 yards and three touchdowns, and also rushed for 103 yards on only 14 carries, was perhaps the best of all. Lovejoy is 4-1 when Richard Janecek posts 80 or more rushing yards, but 1-2 otherwise. Daylan McCutcheon was another key pass catcher, picking up 183 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Lovejoy wouldn't let Walnut Grove keep a hold of the ball as they managed to force two fumbles. Lovejoy can thank Owen Magee and RJ McIntosh for forcing both of them. McIntosh also set a new season high mark in total tackles with 14. Kevin Magee was another major factor on D, picking up a sack and making 19 total tackles.
Even though they lost, Lovejoy was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 248 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, Denison came up short against Anna on Friday and fell 28-15. While losing is never fun, the Yellow Jackets can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Texas football rankings (they are ranked 537th, while the Coyotes are ranked 82nd).
Lovejoy's defeat dropped their record down to 5-3. As for Denison, their loss dropped their record down to 2-6.
Everything came up roses for Lovejoy against Denison in their previous meeting back in September of 2023, as the squad secured a 47-7 victory. In that matchup, Lovejoy amassed a halftime lead of 40-0, an impressive feat they'll look to repeat on Friday.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
