LaGrange 28 Dougherty Co. 6

By Michael Buchanan 11/16/08
 

The Grangers and the Trojans have had some fierce battles over the years. Whether the opponent came from Carrollton, Peach County, and now Dougherty, you know the teams were going to play tough. It even brought out Troup's radio station who decided to jump on the bandwagon of a winning team in the postseason. The score was a bit lopsided Saturday night, but the Grangers' 28-6 victory over Charles Flowers' team from Albany was one well earned.

The Trojans opened with a very long 15 play drive that started on their own 41. The next play was snapped from the Grangers' 45 and it looked like Dougherty would move the ball at will. The Trojans got down to the LaGrange four yard line, but turned the ball over on downs going for the touchdown. That drive took a little more than eight minutes off the clock. I was curious as to why Dougherty didn't try a field goal. That would be answered in the fourth quarter. The Grangers moved the ball from the shadow of their own goalpost out to the Dougherty 33. Joe Mansour's 50 yard field goal attempt was a bit wide left and the game was still scoreless three minutes into the second quarter. Dougherty would fumble the ball on the third play of their next drive and Justin Gilbert recovered, but LaGrange would go three and out. Dougherty would punt the ball back and LaGrange would find the end zone on the ensuing drive. 87 yards in nine plays capped off by a 10 yard TD run by Ocie Salter gave LaGrange a 7-0 lead. Dougherty would go three and out and Mansour would try a 60 yard field goal as time expired. It was short but sneaked into the end zone for a touchback. LaGrange would go into the locker room leading 7-0.

The Grangers would open the second half with a seven play drive that went 52 yards. An 11 yard TD run by Salter extended the Granger lead to 14-0. After the teams exchanged punts, LaGrange would find the end zone again. Another seven play drive, this time for 45 yards gave the Grangers a three score lead when David Earl caught a five yard pass from Rodney Tolbert. Dougherty would respond on the next drive. A long 13 play drive going 80 yards ended with a 31 yard touchdown pass with 9:38 to go in the game. The extra point attempt was the second worst I had seen this season, with Carver's kicker still getting top honors. 21-6 LaGrange. After another exchange of punts, LaGrange would have a short 40 yard drive in just two plays, the second an eight yard run by Xavier Heard past the goal line. 28-6 LaGrange. Dougherty's last drive went two plays when they fumbled again. Devon Smith recovered and LaGrange would run out the clock.

Felton Walls and Rico Watts impressed me for Dougherty, and the Grangers showed going one and done in the playoffs is not their style. LaGrange gets to play Saturday football again this week as Callaway won their first round game and hosts Pepperell Friday night. The Grangers get the Thomson Bulldogs Saturday at Callaway Stadium. Airtime is 5:30 on the official home of the Grangers, WCJM 100.9-FM The Bull.  See you there.