White Co. 28 LaGrange 20
By Michael Buchanan

Saturday,  November 13, 2010

http://voiceoflg.blogspot.com

For the third time in four years, LaGrange finishes the season in week 12 going 0-1 in the playoffs. But it took a very talented team from Cleveland to send the Grangers home for the final time this season.

The two teams exchanged punts to open the first quarter. The Grangers then threw the first punch getting to the Warrior 35 and in scoring range. But E Smith's 52 yard field goal attempt was just short. White County countered with a four play drive going 80 yards. Ashely Lowery scored from four yards out and it was 6-0 home team. The Grangers answered with an 11 play 72 yard drive of their onw, finishing when Chauncey Smith found the end zone from five yards out. 7-6 LaGrange. One White County's next drive, Cole Segraves's pass was intercepted by Chauncey Smith, who ran it all the way in. 14-6 Grangers. The teams exchanged punts and LaGrange's last drive of the half stalled at the Warrior 19. But E Smith's 36 yard field goal attempt missed its mark and the Grangers went to the locker room with a 14-6 lead.

White County's first drive of the third quarter was simple, a six play 80 yard drive keyed by a 55 yard catch. DJ Rogers caught a 31 yard pass in the end zone and the two point conversion tied the game at 14. The Grangers answered with a 75 yard drive that spanned eight plays. A 29 yard touchdown catch by Dee Smith gave LaGrange a 20-14 lead. Butthe Warriors marched right back with a nine play drive that went 80 yards. another four yard scoring run by Lowery gave White County a slim 21-20 lead. LaGrange's very next drive was a long 13 play drive from the 25 to the 25. But E Smith's 42 yard field goal attempt was wide, his third miss of the night. The Warriors would turn the ball over and LaGrange was in great shape. But on the second play of the drive, Chauncey Smith's halfback pass was intercepted and White County got new life. An 11 play drive going 73 yards took a full five minutes off the clock. Lowery ran across the goal line from two yards out giving the Warriors a 28-20 lead and leaving a scant 1:23 left in the game. But on LaGrange's fifth play of the drive, Braxton Smith's pass was picked off and White County ran out the clock.

The Grangers' lack of depth was key in their 5-6 season, the first sub-.500 since 1999. But make no mistake, the White County Warriors are a good team. Todd Willis and I had a chance to chat with former Warrrior head coach Bill White and he said this is the best team they ever had.

The senior class finishes with a 32-15 record and playoff appearances in every year. Congratulations to the Grangers on their 11th straight playoff season.