Troup Co. 27 LaGrange 8

An exciting first half and a one sided second-half led to Troup clinching a postseason berth and pretty much assuring the Grangers miss the playoffs.  LaGrange fell to the Tigers 27 to 8 at Callaway Stadium Friday night and the two halves could not have been more different.

Troup's opening drive resulted in a punt, but LaGrange fumbled the ball away. The Tigers started their next drive on the Granger 47 yard line and capitalized. A 26 yard touchdown run by Dre Towns gave Troup an early 6-0 lead. LaGrange failed on a fake field goal and Troup started at their own 2. The Granger defense held firm, forcing Troup to punt, but a bad snap sailed through the end zone for a safety. 6-2 Tigers. LaGrange took the lead with a 47 yard drive of their own when Hayden Olive caught a 10 yard touchdown pass from Wynton Heard. 8 to 6 Lagrange. After an exchange of punts, Daz Dunlap came away with a fumble and LaGrange started at the Troup 30.  But Taylor Stanford missed a 41 yard field goal and LaGrange went into the locker room leading 8-6.

The second half started in a fashion I have never seen before.  Troup kicked off toward the near sideline but no Granger touched it. The Tigers grabbed it at the LaGrange 26.  Five plays later, Will Smith snuck in from the 1 yard line and Troup took a 13 to 8 lead.  After a puntfest, Troup scored again following a 50 yard drive. Dre Towns ran it in from 16 yards out to give the Tigers a 20 to 8 lead. A Granger three and out gave Troup the ball at their 39. The 61 yard drive was capped when Daryl Dunlap found the end zone from 33 yards out. The game would end with a 27-8 Tiger victory.

The win sends Troup to the postseason to face the loser between Gilmer and Dalton. LaGrange's 13 year playoff run will likely come to an end.  The Grangers next play at Carrollton's Grisham Stadium for pride and to break the three game losing streak to the Trojans. I'll be there to cheer on a LaGrange. I hope you will be, too .