Newnan 42 LaGrange 20

The Grangers battled for two and a half quarters against a good team from Newnan.  But an unlikely event turned the game around in favor of the Cougars and LaGrange dug themselves a deep hole they could not pull out of.

LaGrange had an impressive opening drive, going 70 yards in ten plays, ending with a 23 yard touchdown pass from Wynton Heard to Tavone Rivers.  7-0 Grangers.  An exchange of punts gave Newnan the ball at their own 20.  13 plays later, Bailey Bryant threw a touchdown pass to Randell Arnold from 17 yards out,  7-7.  LaGrange went three and out and Newnan returned the punt to the Granger 23.  Five plays later JK Britt scored from eight yards out and it is 14-7 Cougars.  The teams exchanged punts again and Newnan drove down to the Granger eight before coughing up the ball.  DJ Towns recovered and LaGrange ran out the clock.

LaGrange recovered an onside kick to start the second half and capitalized.  A 50 yard touchdown run by Mon Denson tied the game at 14.  But Newnan answered with a five play, 65 yard drive when Bailey connected with Imanuel Griggs from 21 yards.  21-14 Newnan.  Another punt exchange and LaGrange drove to the Cougar 22.  Benny Gray fumbled the ball and the Cougars recovered.  Like Granger opponents did 12 times last season, Newnan scored off the Granger miscue.  a 69 yard catch by JK Britt extended Newnan's lead 28-14.  LaGrange's punt was returned to the Granger 39.  It only took Newnan four plays to go the distance.  Kelvin Khayyam ran it in from the 28.  35-14 Cougars.  Heard then fumbled the ball, giving Newnan a 20 yard field.  In three plays, Damion Key ran it in from eight yards out.  42-14 Newnan.  LaGrange answered with a quick two play, 85 yard drive when Heard rumbled in from 46 yards away.  42-20 Newnan.  The teams exchanged punts and that would be how the game ended.

After the Gray fumble, Newnan scored on their next three drives.  If LaGrange scores a touchdown, that may have changed the whole outcome.  It definitely would have helped LaGrange's confidence.  Now the Grangers must pull themselves back up and face Harris County.  LaGrange has never lost against the Tigers.  No, mentioning that here will not jinx LaGrange.  I do not believe anything I type here has any effect on how the game is played on the field.  The coaches are too good and the players too talented.   They will get to show that in Hamilton next week.  We'll see you there.