By Anna Mefford
The Lovett Lions Varsity Football team has had their most successful season since 2014 winning more than 8 games, and making it to the second round of the playoffs
Coach Muschamp said he was “Very happy for these guys. They worked really hard so it was very gratifying seeing them have a 9-win season.”
The team started with an undefeated streak, winning 7 games in a row. After starting 7-0, they would drop two straight to the top two teams in 2A, Hapeville Charter and Carver, before beating Washington in their final regular season game
One of the biggest factors of this success was the huge senior class. Coach Muschamp called them “dynamic.” “They all brought something to the table whether it was work ethic or making plays; everyone had a part in what we did this year. I’m very thankful for the stability, structure, and leadership they provided,” said Coach Muschamp.
Many of the players I asked agreed and believed that the senior class was a huge factor in their success this season.
“I could not have asked for a better senior class,” said junior Sam Kellet.
That poses challenges for the near future. Only 3 players out of both the defensive and offensive line were not seniors so “we have a lot of holes we will need to fill next season,” said Coach Muschamp.
However, that does not worry Coach Muschamp as he can use this year as an example that hard work pays off.
“I know it’s gonna be a hard adjustment with all the seniors gone next season but I think if we put in the work we can have another great season,” said junior Jackson Schmidt.
The seniors really gave it their all this year and were determined to have as many wins as possible on the river bank.
Senior Captain and star running back Kalil Townes explained how something in the team really just clicked this year and he believed that they really came together and put in the work.
The team played their last game against Hebron Christian on the 22nd of November and ended the season in a tough battle where they “worked extremely hard like they have this whole year but just couldn’t quite get the ball in the end zone,” said coach Muschamp.
At the end of the game, everyone huddled together on the field, more closely than usual due to the extreme cold, and gathered to hear yet another iconic Coach Muschamp speech.
As he spoke everyone began to get very emotional as it was not only an end to a great season, but “the last time we would ever play on a football field together,” said senior Thomas Harris.
This year was truly a great year for the Lions and is going to be a tough one to beat with this senior class leaving.
“The team’s bond was truly unmatched this year,” senior Brooks Marshall stated, “and it was devastating having to say goodbye to this team and the sport.”
