“The Battle of Buckhead” proved to be yet another classic between the Lovett Lions and Westminster Wildcats. After 18 meetings between the two Buckhead private schools, Westminster clung to a 10-8 series lead going into tonight’s clash. The ‘Cats won last year’s clash 27-7 at Lovett. That loss was Lovett head coach Mike Muschamp’s first loss to Westminster after two straight victories.
The teams first played in 1960 (won by Lovett), but did not play again until 1978. The past six meetings had been split 3-3 coming into tonight’s game.
The Lions, who were a state finalist in 2007, jumped out to a commanding 17-0 halftime lead on the strength of Jonathan Carkhuff’s arm and Max Williams’s hands, as well as an odd kickoff that Westminster failed to receive.
However, the home-standing Wildcats were not to be outdone. The team roared back in the second half with a flurry of points led by running back Stephon Shelton.
The No. 3-ranked Wildcats took the opening kickoff of the second half down to the Lions’ 34-yard line where they faced a fourth-and-1. This was an eerily familiar sight for Westminster, as the team had failed to convert a fourth-and-short in the first half from the Lovett 4. This time, however, Shelton took the snap from center and kept for the first down.
The senior running back would eventually score from the 5, getting the Wildcats on the scoreboard and back into the game. Shelton accounted for 34 rushing yards on the drive.
Now trailing 17-7, the Wildcats got a stop from their defense and again went on the attack. This time they were thwarted by Lovett defensive back Scott Candler, who intercepted Tom Moak on the Lions’ 32.
The Lions then executed a nifty reverse pass down to the Westminster 2-yard line, but were unable to put any points on the board as Mr. Big Play, Stephon Shelton, blocked a 19-yard field-goal attempt.
Westminster had again seized the momentum.
This time, the ‘Cats would stage a more successful drive than their last one. Shelton took a short pass and rambled 37 yards down to the Lovett 21 and the green-clad team was in business. Walter Jamison caught a 10-yard toss from Moak for the touchdown. Thompson Stadium was rocking.
Lovett took over on the ensuing kickoff, determined to run out the clock and head west down Paces Ferry Road with a victory.
After gaining a first down in their own territory, the Lions coaching staff went against conventional coaching wisdom and threw deep. Carkhuff and Williams connected yet again, this time for a clutch 60-yard touchdown pass to regain control of the game with 2:29 remaining. For the first time since the first half, the Lovett fans exploded with delight.
But Westminster was not finished.
The ‘Cats showed no quit as Ralph David Abernathy returned the ensuing kickoff into Lions territory. Shortly thereafter, Moak made a sensational jump pass to tight end John McCall for a 4-yard touchdown pass.
There was hope still for the Wildcats. Down by just three with 1:34 left, they needed a minor miracle to get the ball back.
It was not to be, as the onsides kick bounced off several pairs of hands and settled in the grasp of a Lion.
Lovett (3-2) had won the Battle of Buckhead and climbed back into the Region 6-AA race. Westminster (4-1) will have to regroup and overcome the tough loss in order to make a run at the region title.
Black can be reached at sblack@scoreatl.com.
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