LaGrange 17 Troup Co. 14

By Michael Buchanan 11/08/08
 

What a ballgame.
 
I said those words about a half dozen times after I got home following the LaGrange-Troup game in 2007.  I found myself saying those same words again when I got home Friday night.  The Grangers and Tigers showed their defensive strengths when they combined for six third down conversions in 24 chances, by my math.  11 three-and-outs resulting in punts, another three-and-out ended with a bad snap, and one more was historic.
 
The two teams exchanged punts to start the game.  Troup then engineered a 10 play drive going 61 yards.  A six yard run by Jacorius Cotton gave Troup a 7-0 lead.  LaGrange would answer with a 16 play drive of their own that went 70 yards.  A 14 yard catch by Matt Pauley tied the game up at 7.  After a few more drives ending in punts, LaGrange would get good field position starting on Troup's 46.  Four plays later a 13 yard catch by David Earl in the back corner of the end zone gave the Grangers a 14-7 lead at the half.
 
LaGrange would go three and out on their first drive of the second half, but Troup fumbled the return and the Grangers recovered at the Tiger 35.  LaGrange would go backwards, however, and was forced to punt.  Troup returned the punt and LaGrange would go three and out again.  This time, a bad snap caused Joe Mansour to recover the ball and he was tackled at the Granger 32.  The Tigers would capitalize on the miscue on their tenth play.  Brandon Worle forced his way into the end zone from one yard out and Troup tied the game at 14.  After another exchange of punts, the Grangers would get good field position again at the Tiger 37.  LaGrange's drive stalled at the 33 and Joe Mansour hit a 50 yard field goal.  But a false start penalty negated the kick and LaGrange had to scrimmage from the 38.  No problem.  The snap by Matt Pauley, the hold from Rodney Tolbert and the 55 yard kick by Mansour worked perfectly and LaGrange took a 17-14 lead.  The field goal is a school record.  The teams exchanged punts yet again and Troup turned the ball over on downs without a first down on their last drive.
 
LaGrange had not won or lost a single digit game this season before tonight.  The Grangers showed they can win a close one and not get psyched out.  Now they host Dougherty County, coached by former Shaw head coach Charlie Flowers.  Unless something changes, the game will be Saturday night Nov. 15 7:30 as Callaway won their region and will play Friday night.  We'll see you there.