Many schools can describe their offseason the same way that Lucas Lovejoy can.

A new coach – Chris Ross – takes charge shortly before school campuses shut down in the wake of COVID-19. Coaches and players learn about each other and their new playbooks over Zoom. When the UIL allows summer workouts and eventually preseason practice, teams begin a mad dash to get started on the right foot.

While many schools shared Lovejoy’s scenario, few can match the Leopards’ success.

“We knew that a coaching staff somewhere in the state was going to develop the best COVID plan, so we thought why not us?” Ross said. “Our coaches did a great job of putting a plan together and the kids did a great job of buying in. That allowed us to hit the ground running.”

The Leopards did exactly that. Picked to finish third in District 7-5A-2, Lovejoy built confidence and momentum through old-fashioned hard work and carried that into a season-opening 52-22 win over Plano John Paul II.

“The kids have been extremely consistent,” Ross said. “They showed us in the summer that they wanted this to be a special season and that they were willing to put in the work. Every team wants to win, but these guys showed us they understand what it takes to do that. You win on Friday by winning on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and these guys are doing that.”

Following that season-opening win, Lovejoy hasn’t looked back. On Friday against undefeated and fifth-ranked Frisco, the Leopards finally faced some adversity, struggling offensively and trailing 14-3 at the half and 21-10 midway through the third quarter. No one panicked, though, and Lovejoy wasted little time getting itself back in gear with a comeback befitting a team that’s only interested in getting the job done.

“I think we have elite teammates even if we don’t have that one star player,” Ross said. “Every day, everyone on the team works hard to make their teammates better. That’s why we are where we are today. There’s a selflessness there and everyone is willing to do whatever it takes.”

Behind quarterback Ralph Rucker and the receiving duo of Reid Westervelt and Luke Mayfield, Lovejoy found its legs. Isaiah Smith brought Lovejoy within 21-17 late in the third, and after Frisco punted, Rucker hit Mayfield for a 47-yard score to open the fourth quarter, taking the lead for the first time.

Two quick Caree Green passes – one to Chase Lowery set up Donta Reece’s 31-yard grab put Frisco back in front, but that final lead proved short-lived. On the first play following the kickoff, Mayfield found Westervelt for a 65-yard touchdown. Frisco fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and the Leopards put the game away when Rucker capped drive with an 11-yard run and a 38-28 win.

“Frisco is an excellent team,” Ross said. “I expect that they’ll make a nice run in the playoffs.”

Two weeks remain in the regular season, and Ross hopes his unbeaten (8-0) team will make a run of its own. He knows, though, they can’t afford to look ahead.

“When you do that, that’s when you screw up,” he said. “Our ultimate goal is to win this week’s game. We are starting to understand that if you do the work and trust each other, then you can go 1-0 every Friday.”

So far, so good for a team looking to make it past the Bi-District round for the first time since 2017.