PSN Spotlight - Lovejoy Wildcats Football Success Built On Consistency

After finishing the 2020 season with a 9-2 overall record, third place finish in the region standings and a Georgia High School Association Class 6A playoff berth, the Lovejoy Wildcats are back on the grind as they look to continue the trend of Lovejoy being one of Clayton County’s top programs included in post season conversations for Georgia high school football. And when speaking with Wildcats head coach Edgar Carson, “consistency” has been a key component for Lovejoy the past several seasons.

“I think consistency, family atmosphere and the tradition of Lovejoy,” Coach Carson said, noting that he has not had a lot of turnover with his coaching staff and that has played a role in the success of the Wildcats as well as working with their feeder program last season. Coach Carson also touched on how he and his staff have consistently preached the “next man up” mentality to their players and how that has had a positive impact in Lovejoy’s success.

“That next man up mentality, that’s been our mentality since I’ve been here,” Carson said, adding that with graduating a few key players from last year’s team, players like defensive end, Justin Ethridge, running backs Jordan Thompson and Jekail Middlebrook, and brothers Javon and Trevon Kinchen will all be guys that he and his staff will be looking forward to seeing step up into major roles this upcoming season. And to do so, Carson says film study will be an important element in preparing for the upcoming season. “Film study is important and formation recognition and tendencies. With that and continuing to play hard, those are the things that are going to help us.”

Lovejoy will open up the 2021 season on August 20 when they take on Mundy’s Mill in a region match up.