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Senior Rodney Tolbert is in his third season as LaGrange High’s starting quarterback. Tolbert is part of a senior class that has won 39 games in four years.
The past two seasons ended with the LaGrange High Grangers losing in the first two rounds of the playoffs, so most of the seniors haven't known what it's like to be around deep in the playoffs.
Only a few of the current seniors saw any playing time when the Grangers made it to the semifinals in 2005.
The seniors were hoping to make an extended playoff run this season, and their wish has come true. On Friday, the Grangers (11-2) take on Flowery Branch at Callaway Stadium in the Class AAA semifinals.
Win Friday, and it’s off to the Georgia Dome for the championship game.
“There’s a whole lot of drive for us to get (a state title),” said quarterback Rodney Tolbert. “A lot of people before us have one, and I want one too.”
The Grangers have had plenty of expectations to live up to, and the 27 fourth-year players are carrying on the rich tradition of LaGrange football.
Head coach Steve Pardue is proud to be associated with the class of 2009.
Some of the seniors have developed into superstar players, like linebacker Qua Huzzie and defensive lineman Tristian Johnson, each of whom has committed to play at Kentucky.
Tolbert, meanwhile, is in his third season as the Grangers' starting quarterback.
All of the seniors, regardless of the time they spend on the field, have made a big contribution, Pardue said.
“They’re a fun group,” Pardue said. “All of them have so many different personalities. It’s been fun to watch them grow up and improve the team as football players.”
It would mean everything, Huzzie said, for the seniors to go out with a state title.
“You’re senior year, it’s always something you’re going to remember,” Huzzie said. “I want my senior year to be remembered as a state-championship year.”
While all 27 seniors bring something different to the table, they’re all close and treat each other “like family,” according to wide receiver David Earl.
“We’re like the Brady Bunch,” Earl said, getting some laughs from his teammates. “We’re one big family kind of like them. Everybody steps up in leadership roles.”
Pardue, who said all 15 of the senior classes he's overseen have been special, said these seniors have been particularly good at catching on to his coaching styles.
“It’s a special class, but all of them are,” Pardue said. “They do as we always tell them: if you prepare and practice hard and still lose, shake hands with the other team because you got beat. They’ve been able to stay focused and it shows.”
Some seniors, such as wide receiver John Jackson, didn’t have the individual season they would have liked. Jackson has been out with an ankle injury for much of the season, but is still glad to be a part of what could be a championship season for the Grangers.
“We’ve been working for this since we were freshmen,” said Jackson, who won’t play this week against Flowery Branch but could see time next week should the Grangers make it to the state title game. “We’re the first class in a while not to have a state title. That’s a big deal to us.”
While Jackson and the Grangers won’t be looking past the Falcons this week, they’re already hoping for a rematch with Region 2-AAA rival Carver High, which hosts Cairo this week.
“I’m hoping to play Carver again,” Jackson said. “It’s a big deal to me and to everybody else that we get that ring, and it would be even better if we were able to beat Carver. I trust these guys will be able to get it done this week without me.”
Pardue thinks the seniors leadership has allowed such a strong run to the state title this year. He said after the 24-0 loss to Carver, the seniors were able to turn the tables by beating rival Troup and get focused on their ultimate goal.
“We put a lot on the seniors,” Pardue said. “We’ve always counted on those guys to step up and lead the team, and this year has been no different.”
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