By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

LAGRANGE – The Troup Tigers are the most prolific passing team in the state, with quarterback Montez Crowe averaging nearly 350 yards per game.

Troup isn’t a one-dimensional team, though.

The Tigers also have the ability to beat teams with their ground game, and that part of the offense is even stronger now with everybody at full strength.

Senior Jackson Davis has had some injury issues this season, but he was running strong in last week’s game against LaGrange.

Davis had seven carries for 63 yards with a touchdown to help Troup win 38-0 while improving to 7-0.

Davis, along with Tyree Carlisle, Trey Williams, and Crowe, combined to run for 158 yards on 23 attempts against LaGrange.

Troup (7-0 overall) will put its 3-0 Region 5-AAAA record on the line tonight at Cedartown.

“It’s kind of hard when you come back from that thigh bruise, and some of the other guys have kind of passed you a little, Carlisle and Trey Williams,” Troup head coach Tanner Glisson said of Davis. “But he’s back healthy, and he’ll probably get some carries (tonight against Cedartown).”

Williams, a sophomore, had seven carries for 63 yards with a touchdown against LaGrange, and Carlisle ran the ball twice for 18 yards.

Crowe had seven carries for 34 yards.

For the season, Carlisle is Troup’s leading rusher with 256 yards on 49 attempts, and he’s also tops on the team with six touchdowns.

Williams has 141 yards on 25 attempts with three touchdowns, and Davis has 83 yards on 11 carries with a touchdown.

Crowe has run the ball 34 times for 131 yards.

While Troup can run the ball effectively, the passing game is the bread and butter of the offense.

Crowe has completed 117-of-177 passes for 2,410 yards and 26 touchdowns with 10 interceptions.

It’s a big-play offense, and Glisson said the interceptions come with consistently throwing the ball downfield.

“We don’t really sweat the picks,” Glisson said. “The last thing I want to do is fuss at him for throwing picks, and then we try to play conservative. Let’s go sling it. It is what it is.”

Troup’s high-octane offense will look to keep things rolling tonight against Cedartown.

If Troup wins, it will finish no lower than second in the region, and it will play Cartersville for the region championship on Nov. 3.

Cedartown (6-1 overall) is 2-1 in the region, and it would have a great chance to finish second with a win tonight.

“I talked to their coach on Monday, and they’re talking about how excited the community is, not only for them to be 6-1, but to be seeing us play, too,” Glisson said. “So it’ll be a real fun atmosphere.”