Legendary Coach Todd Dodge Chasing Another Championship

The ole ball coach is back at it!

Todd Dodge, after a short retirement, returned to high school football to coach the Lovejoy Leopards. Dodge has won seven state championships. He led Southlake Carroll to four state titles during his tenure (2002, 2004, 2005, and 2006). Then, at Westlake, he guided the Chaparrals to three consecutive state titles (2019, 2020, and 2021). Now, he is looking to take the Leopards to a state title, but first, he had to get past the Anna Coyotes, the defending state champions.

In a wild playoff shootout, the Lovejoy Leopards edged past the Anna Coyotes 52-49 on November 29, 2024, at Melissa ISD’s Kenny Deel Stadium. This nail-biter punched Lovejoy’s ticket to the regional finals, where they’ll take on the Argyle Eagles, fresh off a 52-35 win over Prosper Walnut Grove.

The game had everything—big plays, back-and-forth scoring, and high drama. Lovejoy’s offense was on fire, with running back Ben Adams tearing up the field for 155 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. Quarterback Jacob Janecek showed off his dual-threat skills, adding 101 rushing yards and three scores. Anna’s quarterback, Ziondre Williams, was a force too, racking up 381 total yards and five touchdowns, but Lovejoy’s defense came through when it mattered most.

In the second half, the Leopards’ defense made clutch plays, snagging two interceptions and stuffing key fourth-down attempts to hold off Anna’s relentless push. The win keeps Lovejoy rolling with a five-game streak and a 10-3 record. During this run, their offense has been putting on a show, averaging a scorching 52.4 points per game.

Now, all eyes are on the showdown with Argyle. The Eagles, sitting at 12-1 with a 12-game winning streak, won’t be an easy opponent. With both teams firing on all cylinders, the regional final promises to be a can’t-miss matchup. Watch it live here: NFHS Network.

Anna vs. Lovejoy Regional Semifinal Box Score