In the 179 games in the Steve Pardue era, LaGrange has been shut out only three times.  Thursday night at Callaway Stadium was the third.  

Carver's opening drive went 10 plays and 80 yards with Emilio Johnson running the final 47 yards for a touchdown.  The extra point was no good and Carver took an early 6-0 lead.  The teams exchanged punts, but on the Grangers' second drive a high snap on the punt attempt gave the Tigers the ball at the Granger 9.  On fourth and goal, Isaiah Crowell found the end zone from two yards out and it was 12-0 Carver.  LaGrange would punt the ball after a 13 yard drive, but on Carver's second play afterward, the Grangers recovered a fumble at the Tiger 25.  LaGrange could not convert a first down and Joe Mansour missed a 40 yard field goal.  The teams exchanged punts again and Carver would lead 12-0 at the half. 

The teams would start the second half trading punts.  On Carver's second possession of the half, the Tigers would go 72 yards in eight plays.  The drive was capped by a 25 yard touchdown run by Jarkuis Morgan.  18-0 Carver.  LaGrange's best drive came next, starting at their won 41.  After seven plays and a nifty Matt Pauley sliding catch, the Grangers found themselves facing first and goal at the Tiger one.  LaGrange couldn't convert as a fade pass on fourth and goal fell beyond the reach of Demetri Merritt.  Carver would punt without getting a first down but LaGrange would again turn the ball over on downs.  Carver's final drive resulted in a touchdown at the end of a six play drive that went 64 yards.  Emilio Johnson would go the final 12 yards into the end zone.  24-0 was the final score. 

Troy head coach Larry Blakeney always said you can't win games without having all three phases: offense, defense, and a kicking game.  Carver seems to be the exception to this rule.  I have never seen such an abysmal kicking game as Carver has.  Yet they won the state title last year and the region championship this year without one.  The Tigers won with defense, holding LaGrange to 36 yards in the first half and 133 total yards, by my math.  The Grangers could only get two first downs in the second half.  Carver's offense had scoring drives of 80, 72 & 64 yards, a gift 9 yard scoring drive, and only 32 total yards in six non-scoring drives. 

LaGrange will finish the regular season the #2 seed out of Region 2 and will host either Peach County (playoff foe for the 4th time in 6 years?), Crisp County (head coach Tommy Walburn), Dougherty County (head coach Charlie Flowers) or Worth County in the first round of the playoffs.  As of this writing, any of those four teams could finish third in Region 1.  Still a lot of football to be played. 

Next up, LaGrange vs. Troup.  Need I say more?  LaGrange will be the visiting team this season, so plan accordingly.  It will be a meaningless game in the region standings, but in no other way.  It is always a hard fought game and an entertaining one to watch.  We'll see you there.