Before the 2026 season even began, Lake Oconee Academy anticipated its Sept. 18 rematch with the Brentwood School, as the Eagles shut them out 43-0 last year.
Despite a home-field advantage and a 4-0 record, the Titans (4-1) fell short on Friday night with a 42-0 loss — just a single-point difference from their matchup last season.
After the shutout loss at home, Titans head coach Patrick Stewart said his players made “too many mistakes” Friday night, and he hopes they can improve in multiple areas before hosting Towers High School on Sept. 25.
“There were points in the game during the first half that we just shot ourselves in the foot with jumping offsides on crucial third downs, dropped balls from our receivers, and missed tackles,” Stewart said. “You can’t have that against really good teams. Honestly, you’re always a week away from getting humbled or staying humble. And so, we were humbled.”
The Titans totaled 34 combined yards, with junior quarterback Jake McDonald throwing for 12 yards and a 25 percent completion rate. LOA’s running game initially totaled 35 yards, but the Eagles ultimately canceled it out when they tackled junior running back Marcus Rhodes for a 13-yard loss.
Stewart noted that his players made “multiple great stops” against the War Eagles offense, but quickly reversed the plays with penalties.
“We would have a great stop and then jump offsides, or there’ll be a busted play, and everything worked out, but the quarterback was able to get outside and make something happen when he should have been down,” Stewart said. “We had opportunities; we just didn’t take advantage of them. When you play a really good team, and they start taking advantage of all those, then that’s where it gets 42 to nothing.”
Stewart said he is looking forward to seeing how his players respond in practice throughout the week, and believes the loss will motivate them for their upcoming game this Friday at home against Towers.
“It’s really going to be good to see how our staff and kids take this on and see how we respond,” Stewart said. “I’m excited to see that and see how these kids respond and see what kind of character and mental toughness they have.”
Lake Oconee Academy’s matchup with Towers High School will mark the team’s final non-region matchup before kicking off region competition at home against Greene County.
Overall, Stewart believes the loss to Brentwood will help his players “rise to the occasion” against both Towers and Greene County. He noted that he and the team will continue to make adjustments over the next week and prepare for a different style of offense compared to their most recent opponent.
“Going in at 4-0, you’re blowing people out, and you’re thinking you’re really good. But then you play somebody to your standard or even a better standard, and you get humbled,’ Stewart said. “I think we’re going to use this past loss as fuel to get back on track with Towers. Then we have our cross-county rival, which if you can’t get fired up for that, then I don’t know what else will get you going because it’s Homecoming and our cross-town rivals.”