School: Lovell
Nickname: Bulldogs
Colors: blue and red
Stadium: Kevin P. Robertson Memorial Stadium
State championship: 1987
Times worth remembering: For seven seasons, the Bulldogs were among the best 2A teams in the state, going 50-13 from 1985-91. In that span, Lovell appeared in three state championship games and won it all with a perfect 9-0 season in 1987; the two losses were by 21-20 and 6-0 scores, both to Thermopolis.
Times worth forgetting: Consistently going up against much larger schools, the Bulldogs struggled for most of the 1950s and 1960s. The bottom, though, came in back-to-back winless seasons in 1960 (0-10) and 1961 (0-8). Those seasons were part of an overall 23-game losing streak and 24-game winless streak. Lovell only had one winning season in an 18-season span from 1955-72 — and that was a 5-4 mark in 1964.
Best team: Lovell’s lone undefeated season, and lone state championship, came in 1987, when the Bulldogs went 9-0 and beat Upton 14-6 for the state championship in Lovell. The Bulldogs were big on offense, rolling up 299 points (33 per game), and were as effective as they needed to be on defense, holding seven of their nine opponents to single digits. Six players made first-team all-state, including four linemen.
Biggest win: Once again, the Bulldogs’ only state championship stands alone – and within that game, it was Lovell’s defense that shone brightest. Playing on its home field, Lovell beat Upton 14-6 for the 1987 2A championship. Neither touchdown came from Lovell’s offense; Mike Jones scored on a blocked punt recovery and Corey Vandenboom added an interception return for a score to seal the game in the fourth quarter.
Heartbreaker: Losing a state championship is always tough. Losing a state championship game in overtime to a conference rival is doubly tough. That’s what the Bulldogs experienced in 1990, when they lost 21-20 to Thermopolis for the 2A championship. Lovell didn’t trail until the final play of the game – a successful extra point by the Bobcats – but left the door open by missing its overtime extra point. It set a trend of coming up just short: Lovell also lost title games in 1991, 1998 and 2003.
Nice write up Patrick. Maybe this years team will be one worth remembering. I know this weeks game against Greybull may be one for the books. Lovell is #1 in rushing D in 2A. Greybull is #2 in rushing. Lovell is #4 in passing. Greybull is #5 in passing D. Lovell’s running game has been improving every week and they are at home. I have watched Greybull on TCT livestream a few times. Great team. They are very good at what they do. Very disciplined …. The winner hangs with Lyman in the west. The loser of this game has some work to do. This has kinda become the rivalry for Lovell since they quit playing Rocky. Actually for both team. So both side will be jacked up. Any early thoughts?
Lots to like about that game, definitely. Greybull’s O vs. Lovell’s D will be a fun matchup to watch, that’s for sure. This is a big game, especially when we talk playoff seeding (and maybe even qualifying, when the West is all said and done). I’m anticipating a close one, definitely…. 28-24 range or so. Not sure who will win yet. 🙂
–patrick