The Corrigan-Camden Bulldogs will close their regular season Friday with a road trip to face the Lovelady Lions in a key district match.
It’s a three-way race to finish atop District 14-2A between Corrigan, Leon and Lovelady. If the Bulldogs win Friday, they would at least have a share of the district championship. They could be solo champs depending on the outcome of Leon’s game versus Groveton.
Both the Bulldogs and Lions enter the contest with identical 6-3 overall records and 4-1 district marks and have clinched spots in the playoffs. They are currently tied with Leon atop of the district standings.
Corrigan has won three straight games, including last week’s 28-21 overtime victory over Normangee. The Bulldogs have now won five of their last six contests, after opening the season 1-2.
“I had an idea this season was going to be very competitive in district, and it definitely played out that way,” said Bulldog head coach Brett Ratliff.
Lovelady enters the matchup following a 41-7 victory over Iola. The Lions have also recorded convincing district wins over Groveton, 52-0, Centerville, 38-0, and Normangee, 40-21. Their only district loss came against Leon, 15-8.
The Lions finished 9-3 last season and advanced to the second round of the playoffs before falling to Mart, 45-32. Lovelady has reached the playoffs consistently in recent years, including back-to-back 12-win seasons in 2022 and 2023.
Friday’s host is led by first-year head coach Jim Bird, who previously spent seven seasons as defensive coordinator under former head coach Will Kirchhoff.
The Lions feature a physical, shotgun-dominant offense, capable of producing big plays through both the running and passing games.
“We have actually scrimmaged against Lovelady the past two years, so we are very familiar. Bird was also a great football player in Groveton and we played against each other,” Ratliff explained.
Lovelady quarterback Luther Joiner is a threat on the ground and through the air, along with running back Ryen Barnes and receiver Isaiah Chaisson.
The two schools have not been regular opponents in recent seasons. Lovelady previously competed in Class 2A Division II before moving into Division I.
Corrigan will look to continue its recent success behind its running attack, while limiting Lovelady’s ability to produce explosive plays. The Bulldogs will also face a Lion defense that has allowed just 104 points through nine games.
Friday’s contest set for 7 p.m. in Lovelady will conclude the regular season for both teams before playoffs begin the following week.
