By Ross Johnson

Sports Writer

The Callaway Cavaliers know the importance of Friday’s game.

After a heartbreaking 13-10 loss to Troup last week, the Cavaliers are focused on their road match-up against Lovett, one of Class AA’s best teams.

Just one season after reaching the state title game, Lovett came to Callaway Stadium in 2008 and lost to the Cavaliers 27-18.

The Lions went on to reach the state quarterfinals, while Callaway won Region 5-AA and a playoff game for the first time in school history.

“Last year, we came out and played well against Lovett and won,” said Callaway head coach Pete Wiggins. “That was one of the biggest wins in our school history. It helped give us momentum as we went into our region.”

Lovett’s coach is Mike Muschamp, the brother of Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp.

Wiggins has a lot respect for Muschamp and the program he’s built, including the Lions’ productive offense.

Lions quarterback Jonathan Carkhuff is a three-year starter and helped defeat Class AAA powerhouse Woodward Academy 23-13 last week.

Carkhuff completed more than 61 percent of his passes for 2,178 yards and 22 touchdowns last season, and he’ll be a key component to the Lions’ chances against the Cavaliers Friday night.

Add in Lovett’s top returning running back in Taylor Mack, as well as wide receivers Drew Stockton and Max Williams, and the Lions’ offense could be the best Callaway faces this season.

Lovett also has a plethora of seniors, with 20 of 22 starters being fourth-year players.

“(Lovett) has a lot of kids back, and it’s gonna be a tough-fought ball game,” Wiggins said. “I feel like our kids are ready and they’re excited about playing a team like this.”

Despite a poor showing in the scrimmage against Greenville, the Callaway defense smothered Troup last week.

The Cavaliers allowed just 37 total yards and four first downs from the Tiger offense.

In order to stop the Lions’ lethal attack, Wiggins said his team must improve even more from last week’s impressive showing.

“We have to get pressure on (Carkhuff),” Wiggins said. “They’re a very good offense. We have to run to the football and make tackles in space and hopefully get some turnovers. If we do that, we’ll come out on top like we did last year.”

Callaway quarterback Quan Bray and the offense moved the ball effectively on the ground last week against a Troup defense that Wiggins called “one of the best in the state.”

However, the Cavaliers’ attack was limited by fumbles and penalties, which the coaching staff has emphasized during practices this week.

Callaway lost four fumbles in the first half of last week’s loss.

“Sure, we do drills to work on holding onto the ball, but a lot of it is talking about the little things and making them happen during the game,” Wiggins said. “Hopefully, we’ll get better at that and it’ll help us win football games.”

With the game being a non-region contest for both teams, Wiggins knows a loss likely won’t affect the Cavaliers’ playoff chances.

While he said the Cavaliers want to win every game, Wiggins said simply playing Lovett will only help his team as the season goes on.

“When we scheduled them we knew how good they were, but it’s a challenge and it’ll make us better,” Wiggins said. “We’ll be ready to go Friday night.”