Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

LaGrange High defensive lineman Spencer Stroud has been terrorizing quarterbacks all season long. The senior had to bide his time with the Grangers, going from a limited role player as a junior to a star on the team this year. When the team needs a defensive play Stroud is now one of the players that the team relies upon to step up and make one.

“Well, it was frustrating last year, and now that I, like, finally have my chance, I wanted to make sure I did the best, and I always just try and leave everything out in the field, so I’ve made the most of my opportunity, and it’s so much fun. I just love playing football and I love winning, and we’re doing both right now so I can’t complain,” Stroud said, flashing a big grin. 

Stroud uses his large frame and wingspan to bend around offensive lineman and with his speed he often blows by them before they can even lay a finger on him. Stroud’s play time was limited in his first three seasons, but now he is impossible to replace when he is on the sidelines catching a breather. 

Stroud does not just put up empty stats in the blow out wins, he comes up clutch. His tenacity was on full display against Sandy Creek in the second round of the state playoffs, producing three sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Stroud’s back-to-back sacks with a forced fumble and fumble recovery on the second iced the Grangers upset win over the Patriots.

“After that first loss against Sandy Creek we were devastated and sitting at 1-2, so to come back and play like that was amazing,” Stroud said. “I got the two sacks and the fumble on two straight plays and that felt like it sealed the game. All my family was there, it was special.”

The senior is second on the team in tackles and leads the Grangers with a whopping 13 sacks, so it was no surprise to see him earn a spot on the All-Region first team. He has been playing at an all-state level.

Regardless of what happens on Friday night against Jefferson, this is likely to be a curtain call on his football career whether he gets one more game after it or not. Despite having immense talent, Stroud has no real desire to play at the next level.

“I try not to think about these being my last games, it hasn’t sunk in yet, but knowing this is it gives me extra motivation,” Stroud said. 

Stroud’s impact on the Grangers goes beyond the lines on the field under the Friday night lights. He is a leader for a young team that is hunting for its first state title since 2004.

“It’s fun playing and leading the team with your best friends,” Stroud said. “We’ve grown up playing football together, so this has been special.”