For the first time in my eight years broadcasting Granger games, head coach Steve Pardue declined a post-game interview. I can't blame him. I was ready to get out of there as quickly possible. For the first 19 minutes the Grangers dominated Shaw and it looked like it would be a mercy rule game. But high school football is a 48 minute game.
LaGrange's first drive went 61 yards in five plays. The last play was a 49 yard touchdown catch by John Wagner from Braxton Smith. 7-0 early. Shaw would punt and the Grangers would march 86 yards in 11 plays, finishing with a one yard Q Ferrell run for six points. 14-0 Good Guys with the E smith PAT. After a Raider three and out LaGrange would find the end zone again after a six play, 58 yard drive ending on a 26 yard TD catch by Dee Smith and a 21-0 lead. Shaw would punt again and LaGrange would start at the Shaw 17 yard line. But on the second play, Sean Cagle would catch what seemed to be a touchdown pass, but the ball was swatted away from him in the end zone and caught by a Raider. Shaw could not convert a first down, however and the Grangers would make them pay. The first play from scrimmage saw Dee Smith make a 55 yard touchdown catch and it was 28-0 with 4:30 to go in the first half.
That would be the end of the one-sided part of the game.
Shaw's Marquis Brown returned the ensuing kickoff to the Granger 28. Three plays later LaVonte Williams would catch an 11 yard scoring pass from Kyel Darner and it was soon 28-7. Braxton Smith would be intercepted and Shaw started at the Granger 34. On the first play Darner hooked up with Tramez Walker for a touchdown and it was 28-13. LaGrange would muff the kickoff and Shaw started at the Granger 35. It took only five plays for Shaw to get in the end zone on a three yard pass to Johntez Webb. The half would end with LaGrange reeling, but leading 28-20.
Shaw punted on their opening drive of the second half, but it would be muffed and the Raiders recovered at the Granger 42. Four plays later a 31 yard catch by Marquis Brown cut the Granger lead to two, 28-26. By this point in the game, LaGrange gave up six straight touchdowns when the opponent drives started inside Granger territory going back to the Carver game.
The two teams settled into a puntfest the next six drives. Braxton Smith would get intercepted again with five minutes to go in the game and Shaw would start at their own 42. Four plays later a six yard scoring run by Chris Baker gave Shaw the lead for the first time 32-28. But LaGrange would show their mettle starting at their own 37. Eleven plays and 63 yards in just under three minutes ended when Braxton found Javon Cameron in the end zone. The Grangers took the lead 35-32 with 30 seconds left in the game. Then one of the more dramatic turn of events. A 99 yard, two foot, 11 inch kick off return by Marquis Brown found the end zone and Shaw wins the game 39-35.
LaGrange gets an extra day to work out what needs working out before the Haralson County game next week. Only five games left in the regular season. No other games are guaranteed. Three region wins will likely be enough to get to the playoffs. But the number of chances only get fewer.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Carver-Columbus 21 LaGrange 3
The #1 team in AA showed why they have that distinction Friday night in front of a national audience. But the Grangers showed everyone that even though they were undersized as a team and undertalented in a couple places, they will come to play 48 full minutes.
The Grangers' opening drive went three and out and Carver started at their 17 yard line. 83 yards and ten plays later, Isaiah Crowell walked in from two yards out. The PAT failed and it was 6-0 Tigers early. LaGrange would answer with a ten play drive of their own. Starting at their own 16, the Grangers' drive would stall at the Tiger 11. A 28 yard field goal by E-Smith was true and LaGrange did what no other team had been able to do against carver...score. 6-3 Carver. The Tigers had another ten play drive from their 20 but it would stall at the Granger 18. With no decent field goal kicking game they went for it and came up short. LaGrange would go three and out, however, and an uncharacteristic bad punt gave Carver a short field at the Granger 43. Five plays later, Crowell would fight his way into the end zone. The two point conversion was good and Carver took a 14-3 lead into halftime.
Carver opened the second half at their own 20 again and got as far as the Granger nine yard line. They opted to go for it and did not convert. LaGrange would only go six plays before Braxton Smith would be intercepted. Carver had another short field starting at the Granger 30 and would capitalize. A 13 yard run by Crowell on the Tigers third play found pay dirt and Carver extended their lead 21-3 and that is how the game would end.
Two of Carver's three touchdowns came on drives started in Granger territory. Carver is good enough of a team. Helping their offense by giving them less than 80 yards is a critical mistake. The Grangers did not hang their head and give up, though. They kept playing hard and kept fighting through every whistle. Now that this very tough pre-region schedule is done, the Grangers now focus on Region 6-AAA opponents the rest of the regular season. Next week we travel to Kinnett Stadium as LaGrange faces Shaw next Thursday night.
Finally I want to mention the crowd that came to see this game. Even though it was broadcast on two radio stations, WCJM LaGrange and WOKS Columbus, it was also televised on ESPN2. A few schools seem to think radio hurts the gate. But Friday night the visiting side was about 90% full and the home side was a hair short of 120% full. I thought I saw a butterfly try to find a seat and give up. Kudos to the fans from both LaGrange and Columbus for coming out to see two good teams. Even though the next game is on a Thursday, hopefully we will see a good crowd travel down I-185 and cheer on the Men in Blue!
The Grangers' opening drive went three and out and Carver started at their 17 yard line. 83 yards and ten plays later, Isaiah Crowell walked in from two yards out. The PAT failed and it was 6-0 Tigers early. LaGrange would answer with a ten play drive of their own. Starting at their own 16, the Grangers' drive would stall at the Tiger 11. A 28 yard field goal by E-Smith was true and LaGrange did what no other team had been able to do against carver...score. 6-3 Carver. The Tigers had another ten play drive from their 20 but it would stall at the Granger 18. With no decent field goal kicking game they went for it and came up short. LaGrange would go three and out, however, and an uncharacteristic bad punt gave Carver a short field at the Granger 43. Five plays later, Crowell would fight his way into the end zone. The two point conversion was good and Carver took a 14-3 lead into halftime.
Carver opened the second half at their own 20 again and got as far as the Granger nine yard line. They opted to go for it and did not convert. LaGrange would only go six plays before Braxton Smith would be intercepted. Carver had another short field starting at the Granger 30 and would capitalize. A 13 yard run by Crowell on the Tigers third play found pay dirt and Carver extended their lead 21-3 and that is how the game would end.
Two of Carver's three touchdowns came on drives started in Granger territory. Carver is good enough of a team. Helping their offense by giving them less than 80 yards is a critical mistake. The Grangers did not hang their head and give up, though. They kept playing hard and kept fighting through every whistle. Now that this very tough pre-region schedule is done, the Grangers now focus on Region 6-AAA opponents the rest of the regular season. Next week we travel to Kinnett Stadium as LaGrange faces Shaw next Thursday night.
Finally I want to mention the crowd that came to see this game. Even though it was broadcast on two radio stations, WCJM LaGrange and WOKS Columbus, it was also televised on ESPN2. A few schools seem to think radio hurts the gate. But Friday night the visiting side was about 90% full and the home side was a hair short of 120% full. I thought I saw a butterfly try to find a seat and give up. Kudos to the fans from both LaGrange and Columbus for coming out to see two good teams. Even though the next game is on a Thursday, hopefully we will see a good crowd travel down I-185 and cheer on the Men in Blue!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
LaGrange 27 Cedar Grove 19
On paper, considering the recent history of these two programs, LaGrange should have won easily. But as you well know, this game is not played on paper. Cedar Grove is an improving team and LaGrange was tested...and passed.
The Saints' opening drive went three and out and LaGrange started at Cedar Grove's 40. The Grangers could only get one first down and would settle for a 43 yard field goal by E Smith. The Saints would march 34 yards in 8 plays until Chauncey Smith recovered a fumble. LaGrange would not get a first down, however, and Cedar Grove would start at their own 25. 12 plays later, the drive would stall at the Granger 10 as Cedar Grove would go for it on fourth down. Their kicking game was suspect as you will see later.
LaGrange would go three and out to open the second quarter and the Saints scored after a six play. 39 yard drive. A 28 yard pass found the end zone and the Saints would go up 7-3. The teams would exchange punts and LaGrange starts at their 32 yard line. Ten plays later a nice 15 yard run by Demoten Boyd and an E Smith extra point gave the Grangers a 10-7 lead. Cedar Grove would punt but Malcolm Dowell would muff it, so Cedar Grove starts at the Granger 27. On the seventh play, Jonathan McCary would scamper three yards for a Saint TD, but the extra point missed. Cedar Grove would go into the locker room leading 13-10.
I often hear the first three minutes of the second half is the most important of the game. I don't know how true that is, but in this game the Grangers didn't just focus on those three minutes. Their first drive of the 2nd half went more than seven minutes and 14 plays. A 25 yard chip shot field goal by E Smith tied the game at 13. Then a strange turn of events as both teams traded interceptions, and then traded fumbles. Cedar Grove started at their own 15 yard line, but an 80 yard pass silenced the home crowd. The extra point attempt missed again and the Saints enjoyed a 19-13 lead.
The teams exchanged punts, but Cedar Grove's was blocked. Braxton Smith found John Wagner in the back of the end zone from 14 yards out and E Smiths PAT gave LaGrange a 20-19 lead. Another Saint fumble gave the Grangers a short field at the five yard line. Two Quint Jackson runs ended in six points (seven counting the sure-footed E Smith's kick) and LaGrange would go ahead 27-19. That would be the final score.
The final non-region game comes next Friday as the Grangers host the number one ranked AA team, the Carver Tigers from Columbus. If that isn't enough to draw a crowd, the game will also be televised nationally on ESPN 2. Those schools that think radio will hurt the gate, watch this game. It will be a packed house even though it will be on TV and, of course, radio. Kickoff is 30 minutes early. Air time on 100.9 FM, WCJM, is 6:30. We'll see you there.
The Saints' opening drive went three and out and LaGrange started at Cedar Grove's 40. The Grangers could only get one first down and would settle for a 43 yard field goal by E Smith. The Saints would march 34 yards in 8 plays until Chauncey Smith recovered a fumble. LaGrange would not get a first down, however, and Cedar Grove would start at their own 25. 12 plays later, the drive would stall at the Granger 10 as Cedar Grove would go for it on fourth down. Their kicking game was suspect as you will see later.
LaGrange would go three and out to open the second quarter and the Saints scored after a six play. 39 yard drive. A 28 yard pass found the end zone and the Saints would go up 7-3. The teams would exchange punts and LaGrange starts at their 32 yard line. Ten plays later a nice 15 yard run by Demoten Boyd and an E Smith extra point gave the Grangers a 10-7 lead. Cedar Grove would punt but Malcolm Dowell would muff it, so Cedar Grove starts at the Granger 27. On the seventh play, Jonathan McCary would scamper three yards for a Saint TD, but the extra point missed. Cedar Grove would go into the locker room leading 13-10.
I often hear the first three minutes of the second half is the most important of the game. I don't know how true that is, but in this game the Grangers didn't just focus on those three minutes. Their first drive of the 2nd half went more than seven minutes and 14 plays. A 25 yard chip shot field goal by E Smith tied the game at 13. Then a strange turn of events as both teams traded interceptions, and then traded fumbles. Cedar Grove started at their own 15 yard line, but an 80 yard pass silenced the home crowd. The extra point attempt missed again and the Saints enjoyed a 19-13 lead.
The teams exchanged punts, but Cedar Grove's was blocked. Braxton Smith found John Wagner in the back of the end zone from 14 yards out and E Smiths PAT gave LaGrange a 20-19 lead. Another Saint fumble gave the Grangers a short field at the five yard line. Two Quint Jackson runs ended in six points (seven counting the sure-footed E Smith's kick) and LaGrange would go ahead 27-19. That would be the final score.
The final non-region game comes next Friday as the Grangers host the number one ranked AA team, the Carver Tigers from Columbus. If that isn't enough to draw a crowd, the game will also be televised nationally on ESPN 2. Those schools that think radio will hurt the gate, watch this game. It will be a packed house even though it will be on TV and, of course, radio. Kickoff is 30 minutes early. Air time on 100.9 FM, WCJM, is 6:30. We'll see you there.
Friday, September 3, 2010
LaGrange 22 Spalding 7
Like last week, this game saw two completely different halves. The first was domination by the Grangers. The second was more competitive.
Like last week, the game started with a turnover deep in the opponent's territory. The Grangers were able to capitalize on the fumble, however, with a ten yard touchdown pass to Malcolm Dowell from Braxton Smith and LaGrange took an early 7-0 lead. The teams exchanged punts and LaGrange's third drive went six plays and 48 yards. It ended with a one yard touchdown run by Quint Jakcson and the Grangers went up 14-0. On Spalding's second play of the following drive, Chauncey Smith recovered a fumble at the Granger 46. The drive stalled at the six yard line, but E Smith connected on a 23 yard field goal. The Jaguars would go three and out and LaGrange could only get one first down on their next drive. But they did score. A 56 yard field goal by E Smith extended the Grangers' lead to 20-7. The teams exchanged punts again and LaGrange would end the half with a 57 yard field goal attempt that fell just short, hitting the end line on the fly.
As the second half started, I expected the mercy rule to come into play. LaGrange dominated the first half and Spalding lost to Griffin 40-0 the previous week. But an injury to Jaguar quarterback Casey Moody put sophomore Powell Krepps in the game, and this kid can play. Both teams started the second half going three and out. But when Spalding went to punt the snap sailed over the head of Matt Hayes and the Grangers got two points via the safety. 22-0 good guys. LaGrange would then fumble the ball at the Spalding 45 and the Jags would make them pay. A seven play drive going 55 yards ended on a pass from Krepps into the end zone and the Jags cut the lead to 22-7. A roughing the passer penalty on the touchdown had Spalding kick from the Granger 45, so they fooled LaGrange with an onside kick. But the first play saw Malcolm Dowell intercept the pass from Krepps and LaGrange was back in business. The two teams exchanged punts, Spalding turned the ball over on downs in their final drive and LaGrange ran out the clock.
The next game I coach will be my first, but it will be interesting to see how some experience will serve Powell Krepps. If he gets a lot of it this season, he will be a junior coming in to Callaway Stadium next year and will be a handful to deal with.
Except for the defense allowing one touchdown and the kick return team not expecting the onside kick, it was a pretty good job by the Grangers. E Smith's punting really flipped the field in the Grangers' favor and gave Spalding a long field to work with against the Granger defense. That will be a key the rest of the season.
Next up, LaGrange hosts the Cedar Grove Saints from Panthersville. Kickoff at Callaway Stadium is 7:30. Airtime on WCJM 100.9FM The Bull is 7:00. I'll see you there.
Like last week, the game started with a turnover deep in the opponent's territory. The Grangers were able to capitalize on the fumble, however, with a ten yard touchdown pass to Malcolm Dowell from Braxton Smith and LaGrange took an early 7-0 lead. The teams exchanged punts and LaGrange's third drive went six plays and 48 yards. It ended with a one yard touchdown run by Quint Jakcson and the Grangers went up 14-0. On Spalding's second play of the following drive, Chauncey Smith recovered a fumble at the Granger 46. The drive stalled at the six yard line, but E Smith connected on a 23 yard field goal. The Jaguars would go three and out and LaGrange could only get one first down on their next drive. But they did score. A 56 yard field goal by E Smith extended the Grangers' lead to 20-7. The teams exchanged punts again and LaGrange would end the half with a 57 yard field goal attempt that fell just short, hitting the end line on the fly.
As the second half started, I expected the mercy rule to come into play. LaGrange dominated the first half and Spalding lost to Griffin 40-0 the previous week. But an injury to Jaguar quarterback Casey Moody put sophomore Powell Krepps in the game, and this kid can play. Both teams started the second half going three and out. But when Spalding went to punt the snap sailed over the head of Matt Hayes and the Grangers got two points via the safety. 22-0 good guys. LaGrange would then fumble the ball at the Spalding 45 and the Jags would make them pay. A seven play drive going 55 yards ended on a pass from Krepps into the end zone and the Jags cut the lead to 22-7. A roughing the passer penalty on the touchdown had Spalding kick from the Granger 45, so they fooled LaGrange with an onside kick. But the first play saw Malcolm Dowell intercept the pass from Krepps and LaGrange was back in business. The two teams exchanged punts, Spalding turned the ball over on downs in their final drive and LaGrange ran out the clock.
The next game I coach will be my first, but it will be interesting to see how some experience will serve Powell Krepps. If he gets a lot of it this season, he will be a junior coming in to Callaway Stadium next year and will be a handful to deal with.
Except for the defense allowing one touchdown and the kick return team not expecting the onside kick, it was a pretty good job by the Grangers. E Smith's punting really flipped the field in the Grangers' favor and gave Spalding a long field to work with against the Granger defense. That will be a key the rest of the season.
Next up, LaGrange hosts the Cedar Grove Saints from Panthersville. Kickoff at Callaway Stadium is 7:30. Airtime on WCJM 100.9FM The Bull is 7:00. I'll see you there.
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