LaGrange 47 Northside Columbus 14

By Michael Buchanan 10/19/08
 

An unexpected turn of events put last year's starting quarterback in his old role again. The result was the offense finding the end zone on every possession.

The game started off with the special teams playing lights out as Darren Hairston returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for the touchdown. A high snap on the try caused holder Rodney Tolbert to call "fire" and Tolbert raced into the end zone for the two-point conversion. 8-0 Grangers. On Northside's first snap from scrimmage the ball was fumbled with the Grangers recovering at the Patriot 22. Two plays later Ocie Salter finds the end zone from two yards out. Another high snap caused a two-point conversion try, but this one failed. Grangers had a 14-0 lead with only 50 seconds elapsing in the game and 22 total yards of offense. Northside would put together an eight play drive that stalled at their own 48 and would punt the ball away. LaGrange would again need only two snaps of offense, the second saw Tolbert throw to David Earl for a 74 yard touchdown. The extra point attempt again did not work and it was 20-0, still in the first quarter. Northside would go three and out and LaGrange would start their next drive at their own 46.

During this drive a Vicky Lawrence song came to mind. A transformer blew behind the visitor's stands and it was the night the lights went out at Callaway Stadium. The electricity did not go out in the press box and it kept feeding the scoreboard. But the field lights were completely extinguished. The new scoreboard video screen lighted the field enough for the players and coaches to leave the field safely. Approximately fifteen minutes later, the lights were restored to a point where the officials deemed it safe to play. A few minutes after that the lights came on to their full capacity. Ironically enough the delay came after the Grangers were penalized for...you guessed it...delay of game. LaGrange was unfazed and continued marching down the field finishing the eight-play 54-yard drive with a 20 yard sweep by John Jackson for a touchdown. The extra point was good and it was 27-0 as the first quarter came to an end.

The second quarter was a very interesting one as Northside controlled the ball more than anyone I have seen in a long time. The Patriots started the quarter on their own 20 and went 58 yards in 15 plays taking around nine minutes off the clock. Preston Bray missed the 40-yard field goal attempt, however, and LaGrange would start at the Patriot 20. The Grangers went no-huddle and went the full 80 yards in 12 plays, capped off by a one-yard run by Ocie Salter for six. The extra point made the score 34-0 as the half ended.

Northside head coach Paul Cates elected to have the mercy rule put in place, which was a disappointment to me. I was hoping to see more of the Grangers' reserves see more action as well as the Patriots starters. I think both squads will grow into very good players in the coming years. Northside opened the third quarter with a seven play drive to their own 32 before they had to punt. LaGrange then went 52 yards in six plays with Xavier Heard running the final seven yards for the score. 41-0 Grangers. Northside would finally get on the board with an 80 yard drive in seven plays. A 24-yard pass from Aaron Lake to Brandon Harris made the score 41-7 LaGrange. The Grangers answered with an 11-play drive going 60 yards in a little more than eight mercy rule minutes. A 12-yard touchdown run by Martavious Hubbard gave LaGrange a 47-7 lead. Northside would not go away quietly as they quickly struck back with a two-play drive, the second a 62 yard run by Philip Cody into the end zone and the game ended 47-14 LaGrange.

Obviously we couldn't ignore the change in quarterback. The coaches would not discuss it except to say Jamius Gunsby will be out at minimum through the Columbus game. Nothing more was said and I will not speculate on it either here nor on the radio. Jamius is still a minor and he will get the privacy that status affords him. I hope eventually he will again be a part of the TEAM.

Next up, the Grangers travel to historic Memorial Stadium to face the Columbus Blue devils. A win will set up the region championship between LaGrange and Carver. I've already gone through the scenarios and regardless of who wins between Shaw and Troup next week, the winner Oct. 30 will crown a region champ barring a big upset next week at South Commons.