Shaw 39 LaGrange 35

By Michael Buchanan

Friday, September 24, 2010

http://voiceoflg.blogspot.com

For the first time in my eight years broadcasting Granger games, head coach Steve Pardue declined a post-game interview. I can't blame him. I was ready to get out of there as quickly possible. For the first 19 minutes the Grangers dominated Shaw and it looked like it would be a mercy rule game. But high school football is a 48 minute game.

LaGrange's first drive went 61 yards in five plays. The last play was a 49 yard touchdown catch by John Wagner from Braxton Smith. 7-0 early. Shaw would punt and the Grangers would march 86 yards in 11 plays, finishing with a one yard Q Ferrell run for six points. 14-0 Good Guys with the E smith PAT. After a Raider three and out LaGrange would find the end zone again after a six play, 58 yard drive ending on a 26 yard TD catch by Dee Smith and a 21-0 lead. Shaw would punt again and LaGrange would start at the Shaw 17 yard line. But on the second play, Sean Cagle would catch what seemed to be a touchdown pass, but the ball was swatted away from him in the end zone and caught by a Raider. Shaw could not convert a first down, however and the Grangers would make them pay. The first play from scrimmage saw Dee Smith make a 55 yard touchdown catch and it was 28-0 with 4:30 to go in the first half.

That would be the end of the one-sided part of the game.

Shaw's Marquis Brown returned the ensuing kickoff to the Granger 28. Three plays later LaVonte Williams would catch an 11 yard scoring pass from Kyel Darner and it was soon 28-7. Braxton Smith would be intercepted and Shaw started at the Granger 34. On the first play Darner hooked up with Tramez Walker for a touchdown and it was 28-13. LaGrange would muff the kickoff and Shaw started at the Granger 35. It took only five plays for Shaw to get in the end zone on a three yard pass to Johntez Webb. The half would end with LaGrange reeling, but leading 28-20.

Shaw punted on their opening drive of the second half, but it would be muffed and the Raiders recovered at the Granger 42. Four plays later a 31 yard catch by Marquis Brown cut the Granger lead to two, 28-26. By this point in the game, LaGrange gave up six straight touchdowns when the opponent drives started inside Granger territory going back to the Carver game.

The two teams settled into a punt fest the next six drives. Braxton Smith would get intercepted again with five minutes to go in the game and Shaw would start at their own 42. Four plays later a six yard scoring run by Chris Baker gave Shaw the lead for the first time 32-28. But LaGrange would show their mettle starting at their own 37. Eleven plays and 63 yards in just under three minutes ended when Braxton found Javon Cameron in the end zone. The Grangers took the lead 35-32 with 30 seconds left in the game. Then one of the more dramatic turn of events. A 99 yard, two foot, 11 inch kick off return by Marquis Brown found the end zone and Shaw wins the game 39-35.

LaGrange gets an extra day to work out what needs working out before the Haralson County game next week. Only five games left in the regular season. No other games are guaranteed. Three region wins will likely be enough to get to the playoffs. But the number of chances only get fewer.