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By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

The Lafayette Christian School Cougars are in bounce-back mode.

After opening with wins over Griffin Christian and Skipstone Academy, a short-handed Lafayette Christian team fell to Southwest Georgia Academy 41-7 last week.

Lafayette Christian will be in Milner on Friday to play Rock Springs Christian Academy, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.

Lafayette Christian (2-1) had to cancel its game againste Central Christian two weeks ago because of Covid-19 issues, and a handful of players were unable to play against Southwest Georgia.

“We had basically 12 players that were going both ways,” said Lafayette Christian head coach Billy Bryant. “We had 16 that dressed out, but three of them are just not ready for varsity football physically.”

Southwest Georgia took control early and led 41-0 at the half, and Lafayette Christian scored on a Ben Dixon touchdown run in the second half.

While the Cougars weren’t at full strength, Bryant gave credit to the opponent.

“I’m not taking anything away from Southwest Georgia,” Bryant said. “They were very physical, very strong, very crisp.”

The Cougars will have more players available this week, although they will be without the services of quarterback Jacob Karvelas, who will miss the rest of the season after suffering a separated shoulder.

Sophomore Andrew Hough will step in at quarterback, and talented senior Cason Firth can also play the position if needed, and he’ll be at running back otherwise.

Friday’s opponent is a Rock Springs team that Bryant believes will be well-prepared under the direction of head coach Steve Chafin.

“They’re well-coached,” Bryant said. “He’s taken the talent that he’s had an developed it. They’ve got veteran players that are strong. They’ve got a very athletic, very physical team, and they’re quick. We’ll have to be on our toes to contain them.”

After Friday’s game, Lafayette Christian will have three consecutive open weeks before opening region play with a home game against Flint River Academy on Oct. 30.