LaGrange 27 Cedar Grove 19
By Michael Buchanan

Saturday, September 11, 2010

http://voiceoflg.blogspot.com

On paper, considering the recent history of these two programs, LaGrange should have won easily. But as you well know, this game is not played on paper. Cedar Grove is an improving team and LaGrange was tested...and passed.

The Saints' opening drive went three and out and LaGrange started at Cedar Grove's 40. The Grangers could only get one first down and would settle for a 43 yard field goal by E Smith. The Saints would march 34 yards in 8 plays until Chauncey Smith recovered a fumble. LaGrange would not get a first down, however, and Cedar Grove would start at their own 25. 12 plays later, the drive would stall at the Granger 10 as Cedar Grove would go for it on fourth down. Their kicking game was suspect as you will see later.

LaGrange would go three and out to open the second quarter and the Saints scored after a six play. 39 yard drive. A 28 yard pass found the end zone and the Saints would go up 7-3. The teams would exchange punts and LaGrange starts at their 32 yard line. Ten plays later a nice 15 yard run by Demoten Boyd and an E Smith extra point gave the Grangers a 10-7 lead. Cedar Grove would punt but Malcolm Dowell would muff it, so Cedar Grove starts at the Granger 27. On the seventh play, Jonathan McCary would scamper three yards for a Saint TD, but the extra point missed. Cedar Grove would go into the locker room leading 13-10.

I often hear the first three minutes of the second half is the most important of the game. I don't know how true that is, but in this game the Grangers didn't just focus on those three minutes. Their first drive of the 2nd half went more than seven minutes and 14 plays. A 25 yard chip shot field goal by E Smith tied the game at 13. Then a strange turn of events as both teams traded interceptions, and then traded fumbles. Cedar Grove started at their own 15 yard line, but an 80 yard pass silenced the home crowd. The extra point attempt missed again and the Saints enjoyed a 19-13 lead.

The teams exchanged punts, but Cedar Grove's was blocked. Braxton Smith found John Wagner in the back of the end zone from 14 yards out and E Smiths PAT gave LaGrange a 20-19 lead. Another Saint fumble gave the Grangers a short field at the five yard line. Two Quint Jackson runs ended in six points (seven counting the sure-footed E Smith's kick) and LaGrange would go ahead 27-19. That would be the final score.

The final non-region game comes next Friday as the Grangers host the number one ranked AA team, the Carver Tigers from Columbus. If that isn't enough to draw a crowd, the game will also be televised nationally on ESPN 2. Those schools that think radio will hurt the gate, watch this game. It will be a packed house even though it will be on TV and, of course, radio. Kickoff is 30 minutes early. Air time on 100.9 FM, WCJM, is 6:30. We'll see you there.