Newnan 27 LaGrange 13

What started as a ragged first half turned into a game of attrition Friday night at Drake Stadium. With the exception of two long touchdown runs by the Cougars, it was a very close game.

On Newnan's first play from scrimmage the Cougars fumbled and LaGrange recovered on the fifteen yard line. But four plays later E Smith missed a 26 yard field goal and the game remained scoreless. Newnan would go three and out and punt. But with Demoton Boyd out with what looked to be a hip pointer, the punt return was mishandled and the Cougars recovered at their own 35. Ten plays later, quarterback Lendell Arnold ran it in from 12 yards out and Newnan would go on top 7-0. The Grangers offense sputtered, going three and out and Newnan would start their next drive at the LaGrange 36. Three plays later, Lemond Anderson would score from ten yards out and it was 13-0.

The Grangers would get back on track with an 11 play, 84 yard drive capped off by a six yard pass from Braxton Smith to John Wagner in the back of the end zone. 13-7 Newnan. On the Cougars' third play of their next drive, Chauncey Smith showed lightning can strike twice in the same rivalry. Smith intercepted a pass and ran it in from 25 yards out to tie the game at 13. Chauncey had an interception return for a touchdown against Newnan last year as well. But Newnan would answer on the very next play from scrimmage. A 79 yard touchdown run by Arnold gave the Cougars a 20-13 lead. The Grangers would punt, recover a fumble, but then throw an interception and the half ended with a seven point Cougar lead.

Five scores, three by Newnan, two by LaGrange. Five turnovers, three by Newnan, two by LaGrange. As event filled as the first half was, the second half would be quite the opposite.

The first drive of the third quarter saw the longest sustained drive of the half. 12 plays and 48 yards by LaGrange ended when E-Smith's 45 yard field goal attempt went outside the right upright by maybe a foot. The two teams exchanged punts three times each and Newnan would set up shop at their own 37 yard line with 6:49 to go in the game. Three plays later, running back Chris Robinson would scamper 57 yards into the end zone to extend Newnan's lead 27-13. LaGrange would go three and out and Newnan would run out the clock.

Boyd's injury did not look too serious, and I think he was held out of most of the game as a precaution. There was a lot of cramping. And Granger lineman John Cook was ejected along with his Cougar counterpart for what looked like a minor altercation. No punches were thrown, but the referee deemed an ejection for both players was necessary. Cook will now have to sit out the Spalding game.

Newnan is a very good team, having only lost four games in the last three seasons combined. It was a very good test for LaGrange, and I think the defense passed with flying colors causing three turnovers in the first half and holding Newnan to only two first downs the whole second half. The offense only had two drives of more than six plays and did not score after Newnan turned the ball over. Kickoffs were very good but other work is needed in special teams. But it is a long season and the Grangers always improve.

Next week, we head to Griffin for a Thursday night game against the Spalding County Jaguars. Air time is 6:30 ET on 100.9 FM WCJM. See you there.