Cook (10-3) vs. Lovett (11-2)

The second time around much sweeter for Lovett

Cakhuff on target, leads “Lions” to title shot

Georgia Dome - Atlanta, GA

Lovett WR-Drew Stockton strolls into the endzone after beating Cook CB-Trenton Payne

The Lovett defense set the tone early for the “Lions”, led by LB-Johnny Topping, LB-Adam Whitlock, LB-Ricco Braxton and LB-Sean Bynoe as they turned back Cook and QB-Trenton Payne forcing an early punt.

Lovett opened up the game in a spread offense and QB-Jonathan Cakhuff went right to work connecting with his speedy tailback Andre Hicks who picked up 13-yards and a first-down on the Cook 43-yard line. A few plays later Hicks picked up 14-yards on a nice little inside counter moving the ball to the “Hornets” 27-yard line.

Cakhuff was really zeroed in on his first drive as he connect with WR-Drew Stockton cutting across the middle for 25-yards and the first touchdown of the game. The PAT by K-Jack “Super Leg” Hall gave the “Lions” a 7-0 lead.

Cook was unable to sustain any of their drives in the quarter and always seemed to find themselves in third and long situations as the quarter came to an end.

Lovett Head Coach Mike Muschamp must have watched the Chamblee/Carver-Columbus game yesterday when Chamblee pulled off a fake punt on forth down because early in the second-quarter his team faced the same situation deep in their own territory and they pulled off the same fake punt play. Adam Whitlock took the snap from center on the punt and ripped off 14-yards for the first down out to the “Lions” 28-yard line.

Cook QB-Trenton Payne hands off to RB-Shannon Brown

Facing a third down and 9, Cakhuff connected with Stockton for 18-yards and a first down to keep the drive alive at the Cook 42-yard line. Cakhuff continue to slice up the Cook secondary when he hit WR-Max Williams with a short pass that Williams turned into a 41-yard gain to the “Hornets” 1-yard line. Cakhuff finished the drill when he took it in for the touchdown. The PAT made it 14-0 with 9:24 left in the half.

With just over 1:35 left in the half Cook mounted a drive down to the Lovett 34-yard line but the Lovett defense stiffened forcing a forth down and 8. Instead of punting the ball away Cook Head Coach Jim Scroggins decided to go for it. The decision would be one that he would regret because Payne’s forth down pass attempt was picked of Lovett DB-Campbell Wilson and returned 67-yards for a touchdown putting the “Lions” up 21-0.

Hall finished off the first half scoring for Lovett when he drilled a 34-yard field goal to give his team a 24-0 halftime lead.

Lovett received the second-half kickoff and Hicks quickly ripped off a 37-yard run to the Cook 15-yard line. It looked like the “Lions” were going in for the kill but Thompson from Cook picked off Cakhuff in the endzone to end the threat.

Cook’s offense feed off of that defensive stop. Running back Thad Williams ripped off a 23-yard run out to the 43-yard line and RB-Shannon Brown busted loose for another 26-yards to the Lovett 33-yard line. The drive stalled out when Payne overthrew a wide-open receiver heading into the endzone on forth down.

Lovett WR-Max Williams turned this catch into a 41-yard gain

Cook continued to fight and to their credit made somewhat of a game of it late scoring two touchdowns on short plunges by Payne.

Lovett ran out the clock on their last drive as their fans celebrated. The “Lions” will now head into the “Wolves Den” next weekend to take on BUFORD for the Class AA State Championship.

Final Score: Lovett 29 - Cook 16