The Lovejoy Wildcats won their fourth consecutive game Friday night at Reid Stadium, using a dominating defensive effort to stall the Rockdale County Bulldogs 23-3.

Lovejoy (5-1, 2-0) overcame 14 penalties and a lackluster offensive performance to stay atop the 2-AAAAAA Region, holding Rockdale County (4-2, 1-1) to just 94 total yards of offense in the first half.

Rockdale quarterback Zuri Minnifield was limited to 65 yards through the air, while the Wildcats rushed for 140 yards on the ground for the game.

Lovejoy relied on the foot and the speed of running back Kevin Morris, who accounted for three field goals and a touchdown run in the win for the Wildcats.

Lovejoy opened the scoring on their first drive of the game, moving the ball 70 yards on six plays to the endzone. Wildcats' quarterback Khaleel Rogers found wideout Preston Williams for a 56-yard touchdown pass, giving the Wildcats a 7-0 lead in the first quarter after a successful Morris extra point.

Morris added a pair of field goals in the second quarter from 35- and 32-yards out, extending Lovejoy's advantage to 13-0 with 2:17 left in the first half.

Rockdale County's lone score came with 30 seconds to go in the second quarter, as Devon Dawkins connected on a 31-yard field goal to end the Wildcats' shutout bid. The field goal sent Rockdale down 13-3 at the half.

Morris added two more scores for the Wildcats in the second half, converting a 45-yard field goal in the third quarter before rushing for a 45-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Morris finished with seven carries for 71 yards on the ground, while Rockdale County running back Keijne Thomas led the Bulldogs with 72 yards rushing.

Minnifield finished 6-of-14 passing for 65 total yards, 59 of which came in the first half. Rogers finished 5-of-15 for 102 yards.

Rockdale returns to action next week on the road against Luella.