By Kevin Eckleberry

Sports Editor

Newnan head coach Mike McDonald had high praise for LaGrange High kicker Joseph Mansour following Thursday’s game at Callaway Stadium.

McDonald, whose Cou-gars beat the Grangers 26-15, called Mansour the “best kicker I’ve ever seen.”

It was a remarkable all-around performance for the senior kicker who has announced his intentions to play for Kentucky.

Mansour made three field goals, including one from 56 yards in the first half.

That kick, which was one yard further than Mansour’s previous career-long kick, sailed over the goal post with plenty of room to spare.

Mansour also made field goals of 44 and 38 yards.

The field goals were just part of Mansour’s all-around performance.

He kicked off five times, and five times the ball went into the end zone, keeping Newnan from getting a chance at a return.

Mansour also punted five times for a 47.6-yard average.

The 56-yard field goal came in the first half after a LaGrange drive stalled at the Newnan 42-yard line.

For just about any team in the state, the percentage play would be to punt the ball, but most teams don’t have a weapon like Mansour.

“I really didn’t think about it,” LaGrange head coach Steve Pardue said. “Anytime the wind’s not a factor, anything under 60, it’s in his range.”

Mansour has made three kicks of more than 50 yards since his sophomore season, and he has made seven kicks of at least 46 yards.

His previous career long kick of 55 yards came in the fourth quarter of last year’s Troup game and gave the Grangers a three-point victory.

IMPACT PLAYER: Quan Bray is still running wild, he’s just doing it from a new position.

As a freshman and a sophomore, the Callaway High standout was a running back, but he has been moved to quarterback as a junior.

In his first game at quarterback, Bray showed he’s still going to be a huge threat with his feet when he ran for close to 140 yards.

The Cavs didn’t do much through the air, although Bray did complete a couple of passes on a potential game-tying drive in the closing moments.

That possession ended with a missed field goal, and Troup won 13-10.

Bray made quite an impression on Troup head coach Bubba Jeter.

“Bray is a machine,” Jeter said. “He’s unbelievable.”

Callaway had close to 300 yards in the game, but it was done in by four lost fumbles and a special-teams miscue that led to a touchdown.

TEAM STRENGTH: A year from now, four members of the Troup High secondary will likely be playing college football.

Two defensive backs, Jacorius Cotton and Cardarious Sanders, have already committed to Division I schools.

Two other secondary players, safety Vondree Jackson and cornerback Jaquante Holloway, are being pursued by colleges.

The defensive backfield is an obvious strength of the Troup defense, and those players were at their best Friday night against Callaway.

The Cavaliers didn’t try to throw the ball often, but when they did, they didn’t have much success.

Callaway’s only completed passes came on its final possession of the game when Bray found Brandon Fanning and Quantavious Leslie.

Leslie, who had 13 touchdown receptions a year ago, had one catch for 15 yards Friday night.

“We covered them pretty good,” Jeter said. “Our defensive backs are good.”

LINEBACKERS STAND TALL: Through one game, at least, it looks like LaGrange’s superb linebacker tradition is alive and well.

Malcolm Dowell, one of a number of new starters at the linebacker position, had 14 total tackles, including 10 solo stops.

Chauncey Smith added 13 tackles with eight solo tackles, and he had a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown at the start of the second half.

Another new starter at linebacker, Xavier Heard, had eight tackles.

GETTING DEFENSIVE: In a scrimmage against Greenville, Callaway’s de-fense gave up four touchdowns in the first half.

One week later, Callaway gave up almost nothing against Troup.

The Tigers finished with fewer than 40 yards of offense and four first downs, and they didn’t complete a pass.

Callaway was done in by four lost fumbles, and a blocked punt that resulted in a Troup touchdown.

Troup’s lone offensive touchdown was set up by a Callaway fumble at its own 28-yard line.

NICE GESTURE: Jeter was touched when, following his team’s win over Callaway, the players gave the game ball to his mother.

The players did that in honor of Jeter’s father, who died earlier this year.

“They promised me they would do that, and they did,” Jeter said. “That meant a lot.”