LaGRANGE, Ga. -- With apologies to American patriot Patrick Henry, the rally cry for Troup and LaGrange tonight could be “Give me Liberty or go to the House of Pain.”
The cross-city rivals collide in their annual battle for bragging rights with an added incentive this year.
Troup and LaGrange enter the game with 4-1 Region 2-AAA records. The Tigers are 6-3 overall while the Grangers come in 7-2.
Tonight’s winner locks up the region’s second seed and home field advantage for the first round of the state playoffs, which begin next week. The winner will host Liberty County, the third seed from Region 3.
The loser makes the long ride to Sandersville to face Region 3 second seed Washington County in its “House of Pain.”
Troup already has made the trip this season. The Tigers were handed their worst loss of the season as the Hawks rolled to a 48-6 win Sept. 18.
“I personally do not want to make that bus ride again and neither do our players,” Troup coach Bubba Jeter said. “Right now, we’re playing pretty good football.”
Across town, LaGrange coach Steve Pardue knows what Troup can do, especially on defense.
“They’re a solid football team offensively and defensively,” Pardue said. “They held Carver to six points for three quarters and have outstanding defensive players in J.C. Copeland and Reuben Foster, plus a talented secondary.”
Copeland, a senior defensive tackle, anchors the defensive line that also features senior defensive end Brandon Worle. Both seniors are headed to the SEC next season. Copeland is committed to Tennessee while Worle is committed to LSU.
Foster is only a freshman and by his senior year could be drawing the same attention as Copeland and Worle. He leads the team in tackles from his linebacker position and benefits from Copeland and Worle clogging the middle.
LaGrange’s offense, led by seniors Jamius Gunsby and Ocie Salter, will test Troup. Gunsby has accounted for more than 800 yards of total offense at quarterback. Salter has rushed for almost 800 yards and scored five touchdowns.
While both teams each have their advantages at different positions, the Grangers have a decided edge in the kicking game. Senior Joe Mansour, who is committed to Kentucky, set a school record and tied for the third-longest field goal in state history with a 59-yard kick two weeks ago against Columbus. Mansour’s field goal was the difference in last season’s 17-14 LaGrange win.
Troup has an up-and-coming kicker in sophomore Jordan Vann. Last week in a 33-6 win over Kendrick, Vann kicked a personal best 43-yard field goal.
LaGrange has dominated the series since it resumed in 1992. The Grangers are 14-3 during that span. The last Troup win came in 2003, but the teams recently have been closely matched: The past two games were decided by a total of seven points.
Troup already has broken a long losing streak this season, beating Shaw to end a 12-year skid. The Tigers’ three wins against LaGrange were as visitors at Callaway Stadium. And the Tigers will be the visitors tonight.
E-Mail
Print
@Nyx.CommentBody@