By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

HAMPTON – That’s been a long time coming.

The LaGrange Grangers snapped a 17-game losing streak with an 8-6 road win over Hampton on Friday.

Hampton had the ball late with a chance to win it, but LaGrange’s Qua Bowles came through with a game-clinching interceptoin in the closing moments.

LaGrange struck first, with Laracco Glaze scoring on a 1-yard run with 4:12 to play in the first quarter.

The touchdown was set up by a Jakoby Smith punt return to the 1-yard line.

With 5:10 left in the first half, Robert Thornton blocked a punt, and the ball went out of the back of the end zone for a safety.

Hampton was threatening late in the half, but Smith picked off a pass in the end zone and nearly scored before he was brought down at the 5-yard line.

That defensive gem allowed LaGrange to take an 8-0 lead at the break.

With 3:38 to play in the third quarter, Hampton scored a touchdown, but LaGranged stopped the 2-point conversion attempt to maintain an 8-6 lead.

With a little more than two minutes remaining, LaGrange had the ball in Hampton territory when a third-down play failed.

Wesley Kuhn was called up to punt, and Hampton’s returner was tackled at the 13-yard line.

After a JacQuez Smith sack, it was fourth down for Hampton.

Bowles picked the pass off and went the distance for the touchdown, but a penalty negated the score.

While Bowles was denied the touchdown, his pick put the game away.

LaGrange ran one kneel-down play, and the clock ran out.