Alexander 33 LaGrange 19

Shaw 2010.  Haralson County 2011.  Fayette County 2012.  Now Alexander 2013.  These are road games LaGrange needed to win to gain a foothold in the playoffs.  And even though LaGrange battled back to make the playoffs those three years, they find themselves in a hole with the toughest part of the region schedule ahead. 

Alexander scored one touchdown in the first half, and took advantage of three Granger turnovers to win 33-19 in Douglasville.  The two teams exchanged punts twice to open the first half.  But in the waning seconds of the first quarter, Michael Land-Davis found the end zone from 50 yards out to give the Cougars a 6-0 lead.  LaGrange answered with a five play, 68 yard drive that stalled inside Alexander's one yard line.  The score remained 6-0 after LaGrange's 32 yard field goal attempt failed on a bad snap with no time left on the clock.

The second half was nothing like the first half.  The Grangers scored when Mon Denson ran 30 yards for a touchdown.  6-6.  Alexander answered with a 24 yard touchdown run by Davis.  13-6 Cougars.  Benny Gray fumbled on the first play from scrimmage and the Cougars only had to go 35 yards.  They did in four plays, one was a one yard TD run by Davis.  20-6 Alexander.  Gray scored from 20 yards away to narrow the Cougar lead 20-13.  But Alexander scored again on a touchdown pass from Baylor Whitfield.  26-13.  LaGrange answered with a 70 yard touchdown run by Mon Denson.  26-19.  Yet another touchdown run by Davis extended the Cougar lead 33-19.  LaGrange returned the kickoff to the Cougar 17, but three plays later, Wynton Heard threw an interception in the end zone.  A 70 yard drive going four and a half minutes gave LaGrange the ball at their own 9 after the ball went over on downs. But on the fifth play, Heard fumbled the ball away and the Cougars ran out the clock.

In the Chestatee game last year, Coach Branch talked about the Grangers "breaking Chestatee's serve."  Alexander broke LaGrange's serve by causing three turnovers.  In order for the Grangers to make the playoffs, they need to win two of the next four games.  The opponents are Fayette County (who beat LaGrange last year), Sandy Creek (who won three of the last four state titles), Troup (who is better than last year) and Carrollton (the #2 team in the state).  Definitely an uphill battle, but the games are played on the field.

Next week is Senior Night where the seniors will be honored.  Also the 2003 State title team will also be honored.  Let's pack Callaway Stadium and support the Grangers next week.