By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

LAGRANGE – The Lafayette Christian School Cougars fell to Arlington 42-14 on Thursday in the semifinals of the Georgia Independent Christian Athletic Association middle-school playoffs.

Lafayette Christian beat Arlington 74-64 earlier in the season, but it was hurt by five turnovers in the rematch.

The Cougars got their touchdowns on a run by Caleb Deavers, and on a pass from Zack Thompson to Alex Tusing.

Despite Thursday’s loss, it was a successful season for the Cougars, who finished 8-2.

Making that mark even more impressive, a lot of the team members were playing football for the first time.

“Last year, we had 11 eighth-graders, and they all left,” Coach Jarred Pike said. “We probably had half our guys who’d never even played football.”

Also on Thursday, Long Cane lost to Valley 36-14 in the league championship game.

Daylen Teasley and Robert Harris scored the touchdowns for Long Cane, which beat Callaway Middle in the semifinals.