LaGrange 46 Columbus 7

By Michael Buchanan 10/25/08
 

In a game that got out of hand quickly, the Granger backups saw a lot of work. Quarterback Braxton Smith got in the game on the last drive of the first quarter. It was that lopsided.

For the third straight game, LaGrange ran back the opening kickoff for a touchdown, the second one for Darren Hairston. The 90 yard return gave the Grangers a 7-0 lead. After a Blue Devil punt, LaGrange would move the ball 45 yards on three snaps. A nine yard run by Ocie Salter gave the Grangers 13-0 lead. Columbus would punt again and Hairston would return it 39 yards to the Columbus 12. Two plays later, Salter wuld get his second rushing touchdown of the night and seventh on the season. 20-0 Grangers. Columbus would fumble a pitch on their third play of the next drive and Qua Huzzie would scoop and score from around 25 yards out. 27-0. The Blue Devils would punt again and LaGrange needed only one play from scrimmage to find the end zone yet again. A 48 yard scamper by Salter gave LaGrange a 34-0 lead. Columbus would punt a fourth time and LaGrange would take over with 14 seconds left in the first quarter.

Yes, the first quarter.

Many Granger backups came in and marched 63 yards down the field in ten plays. Xavier heard capped off the drive with a four yard touchdown run and it was 40-0 Grangers. On the Blue Devils' very next play, Devon Smith intercepted a Greg Bingham pass at the Columbus 42. LaGrange would turn the ball over on downs, however, and Columbus would move the ball 63 yards of their own. A three yard touchdown run by CJ Jefferson closed the gap to 40-7. Columbus would have a successful onside kick, but Devon Smith intercepted Bingham's pass two plays later. Thanks to a great block by Malcolm Dowell, Smith would find the end zone on the return. LaGrange would go to the locker room at the half leading 46-7 and the game would end with that same score.

The Grangers would fumble in the fourth quarter, but Columbus would turn the ball over twice more in the second half. A total of seven turnovers in the game, five by the Blue Devils.

Next up, the region championship. Carver-Columbus goes for their fifth while the Grangers shoot for their 20th. It is this simple...the winner Thursday between Carver and LaGrange will be the #1 seed out of Region 2 and the loser will be #2. Let's pack Callaway Stadium Thursday night.