Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009

LaGrange romps over crosstown arch rival Troup County in Region 2-AAA high school football showdown

Heard, Salter lead ground charge

By ANDY BITTER

abitter@ledger-enquirer.com

LAGRANGE, Ga. — LaGrange’s 42-0 win against Troup County at Callaway Stadium on Friday was doubly satisfying.

Not only did the Grangers extend their winning streak to six games against their crosstown rival in dominating fashion, but, as a bonus, they won’t be traveling far when the playoffs begin next week.

The Grangers (8-2, 5-1 Region 2-AAA) ran for 385 yards, getting 164 from Xavier Heard and 138 from Ocie Salter, who combined for four touchdowns in the romp.

LaGrange, which improved to 15-3 since the rivalry was renewed in 1992, clinched the second seed in the region in the process and will host third-seeded Liberty County in the first round of the playoffs next Saturday at 6 p.m.

“Any time you win this game it’s great,” Grangers coach Steve Pardue said. “You always want to beat your rival, but being at home and not having to make that long trip is really big.”

Troup County (6-4, 4-2 Region 2-AAA) will make the 3 1/2-hour bus ride to Sandersville next week for a playoff game against Washington County, the second seed in Region 3. The Tigers already made that trip earlier this year. They lost 48-6.

Getting the Tigers to forget about Friday’s loss will be the top priority for Troup coach Bubba Jeter and his staff.

“It’s where you use that little bit of a psychology degree you took in college,” Jeter said. “We’ve just got to tell them that things didn’t go our way, we had a bad night, regroup and let’s go to work.”

The Grangers rolled from start to finish Friday.

LaGrange out-gained Troup 257-30 in the first half, scoring three times to take a commanding 21-0 lead into the break.

LaGrange pounded the middle of the line, aware that Troup would try to take away the Grangers’ signature sweep to the outside. The result was a career day for Heard, the fullback, who broke off a 55-yard touchdown run nearly untouched up the middle to start the scoring with 2:28 left in the first quarter.

“All I have to say is good play-calling by the coaches and good linemen,” Heard said. “It was all good, and we all connected and made some good plays happen.”

Quarterback Jamius Gunsby made it 14-0 on a 29-yard keeper with 5:02 left in the second. Salter added to the lead, also scoring from 29 yards out less than four minutes later.

The second half was more of the same. Heard scored on a 9-yard run in the third quarter to extend the lead to 28. On the first play of the next drive, Salter broke free for a 50-yard touchdown run and a 35-0 lead.

LaGrange allowed next to nothing on defense. Troup County had 53 yards of offense and four first downs through three quarters. The Tigers fumbled seven times, incredibly recovering every one of them. It still took them out of their offensive rhythm.

“Unbelievable,” Pardue said. “They never really threatened us. … I thought we set the tempo early and never let up.”

Friday in LaGrange

@z-BR TabQuarters 1col:Troup County 0 0 0 0 — 0

LaGrange 7 14 14 7 — 42

First Quarter

L — Xavier Heard 55 run (Joseph Mansour kick), 2:28.

Second Quarter

L —Jamius Gunsby 29 run (Mansour kick), 5:02.

L — Ocie Salter 29 run (Mansour kick), 1:25.

Third Quarter

L — Heard 9 run (Mansour kick), 5:13.

L — Salter 50 run (Mansour kick), 3:31.

Fourth Quarter

L — Q Ferrell 27 run (E Smith kick), 3:51.

Team records: LaGrange 8-2, 5-1 Region 2-AAA; Troup County 6-4, 4-2 Region 2-AAA.