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Preview: #11 Kings at Loveland

Photo: Loveland WR/DB Dylan Hacker (Photo by: Harrison Hentz, Loveland H.S./ X: @photo_varsity)

It’s an Eastern Cincinnati Conference showdown as the Blitz 5 Game of the Week shines its light on Loveland Friday night. The Tigers play host to Kings as each school looks to bring home its first ECC win of the season. Loveland is also hoping to notch the first victory in new head coach Brian Damewood’s career. 

This the third meeting between the two schools in less than a calendar year. The teams split their battles last fall with the Knights avenging a regular loss in the first round of the playoffs.

#11 KINGS KNIGHTS (1-1) at LOVELAND TIGERS (0-2)
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m., September  6, 2024
Loveland Tiger Stadium
Follow on X: @TSFootball

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Kings’ offense has some very entertaining pieces. Junior QB Grant Nurre is an emerging star in his second season as a starter. Seniors RB Carson Lindholm and WR Nate Lyman are gamebreakers. Lyman, a Eastern Michigan commit, went over 100 career receptions, 2,200 yards receiving with his 27th touchdown catch in Week 1 versus Sycamore. Leading the way up front for the Knights is OL Kage Payne, who has committed to Troy.

Loveland senior WR/DB Dylan Hacker has scored both of the teams touchdowns, one on a reception and another with a pick-six. Classmates DB Kole Dahlke, DB Brock Conaster and DB/P Sawyer Muchmore round out a very good Tigers’ secondary, one of the team’s strengths. Muchmore teams with junior K Brady Stidham to give Loveland a sensational kicking game on special teams.

TEAM TRENDS: The Kings’ defense has been a pleasant surprise. The unit has given up just 76 yards in each of the first two tilts. The Knights’ offense has been balanced with 877 total yards (473 rush, 404 pass) thus far. Since winning the 2022 regional championship game against Anderson, Kings is 6-7.

The Loveland offense has struggled the first two weeks with just one touchdown. The Tigers have rushed for just 65 yards on 24 carries (2.7 yards per carry). Short possessions and turnovers have played a large role in the 0-2 start. Defensively, Loveland is allowing 231.0 yards per game rushing and 6.8 yards per tote. That has led to sustained, clock-eating drives by their opponents.

HEAD COACHES:
Kings: Alex Garvin (44-15 at Kings, sixth year; 44-15 overall)

Loveland: Brian Damewood (0-2 at Loveland, first year; 0-2 overall)

PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Kings
(18 appearances, 21-18) – 2023, 2022 (Regional Champion), 2021, 2020, 2108, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 1999

Loveland
(seven appearances, 6-6) – 2023, 2022, 2020, 2013 (State Champion), 2002,2000, 1986

KINGS’ KEYS TO VICTORY: If the Knights play to their strength on defense it will be a long night for Loveland. Getting ahead quickly with early scores by the Kings offense will also alleviate the run and make the Tigers one dimensional. That will allow coach Garvin to unleash the big dogs on defense.

LOVELAND’S KEYS TO VICTORY: It sounds simple. The defense has to do a better job of getting off the field and the offense has to do a better job of staying on the field. The Tigers have to dig down deep and want it more. They beat the Knights last season, so they know the effort it will take to do it again. All three phases of the game must come together, something that has yet to happen for Loveland. 

Prediction: Kings 35, Loveland 14

 

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