A fellow broadcaster
e-mailed me and asked "Is (defensive coordinator) Donnie
(Branch) going to let anybody else in the region score
against LaGrange?" So far the answer is a resounding
"NO!" The Grangers shut out Hardaway 31-0 at Kinnett
Stadium Friday night.
The two teams exchanged punts to start the game. LaGrange then turned the ball over on downs at the Hawk 40. Hardaway then had an eleven play drive helped along by a fake punt for a first down. But that drive stalled at the Granger 34 and the Hawks turned the ball over on downs. The Grangers went three and out but Roland Rice intercepted a pass on Hardaway's next possession. Rodney Tolbert then threw an interception of his own, but Hardaway's next drive went four plays, the last play being a punt. LaGrange then had a short but effective four play drive that covered 79 yards, the last play a 36 yard touchdown run by Jamius Gunsby. Pat Simmons' kick was good and LaGrange went up 7-0. LaGrange recovered a Hawk fumble, but the teams would exchange punts until the first half ended.
The tone of the second half was set when Hardaway would punt without the benefit of a first down for fourth of six times on the night. The Grangers capitalized with an eight play, 68 yard drive that ended with a 31 yard pass from Gunsby to Tolbert for a touchdown. 14-0 LaGrange. Hardaway's punt would pin LaGrange deep at the Granger 13. But six plays later, Tolbert would return the favor by passing to Gunsby for a 17 yard touchdown. Both teams exchanged fumbles, but the Hawks could only punt the ball away again. The Grangers were set up in good field position, starting their next drive on the Hawk 45. That drive stalled on Hardaway's 36, so Joe Mansour attempted a field goal. Your math is correct. A 53 yard field goal attempt with a slight wind against him. It hit the crossbar and bounded over for a career best for the sophomore. 24-0 good guys. Hardaway would go three and out and LaGrange had their longest drive of the game in number of plays. A ten play drive covering 76 yards finished off by a 35 yard touchdown scamper by Ocie Salter that salted the game away. 31-0 final.
The two teams exchanged punts to start the game. LaGrange then turned the ball over on downs at the Hawk 40. Hardaway then had an eleven play drive helped along by a fake punt for a first down. But that drive stalled at the Granger 34 and the Hawks turned the ball over on downs. The Grangers went three and out but Roland Rice intercepted a pass on Hardaway's next possession. Rodney Tolbert then threw an interception of his own, but Hardaway's next drive went four plays, the last play being a punt. LaGrange then had a short but effective four play drive that covered 79 yards, the last play a 36 yard touchdown run by Jamius Gunsby. Pat Simmons' kick was good and LaGrange went up 7-0. LaGrange recovered a Hawk fumble, but the teams would exchange punts until the first half ended.
The tone of the second half was set when Hardaway would punt without the benefit of a first down for fourth of six times on the night. The Grangers capitalized with an eight play, 68 yard drive that ended with a 31 yard pass from Gunsby to Tolbert for a touchdown. 14-0 LaGrange. Hardaway's punt would pin LaGrange deep at the Granger 13. But six plays later, Tolbert would return the favor by passing to Gunsby for a 17 yard touchdown. Both teams exchanged fumbles, but the Hawks could only punt the ball away again. The Grangers were set up in good field position, starting their next drive on the Hawk 45. That drive stalled on Hardaway's 36, so Joe Mansour attempted a field goal. Your math is correct. A 53 yard field goal attempt with a slight wind against him. It hit the crossbar and bounded over for a career best for the sophomore. 24-0 good guys. Hardaway would go three and out and LaGrange had their longest drive of the game in number of plays. A ten play drive covering 76 yards finished off by a 35 yard touchdown scamper by Ocie Salter that salted the game away. 31-0 final.