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It was a true heavyweight clash in the 3A state semifinals on Friday night as the LaGrange Grangers suffered a 21-13 loss to the Jefferson Dragons in a game that truly came down to the final play.

Lagrange’s quarterback rolled out with four seconds left and threw a rope to Malachi Fannin-Render for 18 yards, but the senior running back was called just out of bounds and the Dragons were left claiming a victory.

“We got great officials in the state of Georgia, and they determined that great effort out of Malachi and great effort out of Dylan and the protection was there, I hate for it to end like that, but, you know we control what we can control, and it’s frustrating,” an emotional LaGrange coach Matt Napier said after his team’s gutsy performance. “But I love our guys and the way they fought and I’m proud to be their coach.”

The Grangers argued and pleaded their case to the officials, but after a brief huddle, Fannin-Render was ruled out of bounds and the referees trotted off the field, as dejected Grangers fell to the turf in frustration and disappointment.

It was a warrior spirit from LaGrange as the team trailed 14-0 late in the third quarter and pushed the Dragons to the limit.

“The way that those guys played with the warrior spirit that they played with, and they just kept sticking it in there over and over again, couldn’t be more proud than I am right now,” Napier said. 

An anemic LaGrange offense finally got going late in the third quarter. A long run by Barber set up the Grangers near midfield and the team finally got on the board when Barber connected with first-year football player and basketball standout Torian Reeves. The senior reeled in an acrobatic 49-yard catch, spinning past a Dragon defender in the process.

Unfortunately, Jefferson had an answer. Retaking a two-score lead with a touchdown with 6:15 left in the game, superstar quarterback Gavin Markey’s second rushing touchdown on the night.

The Grangers had an instant response, taking less than a minute off the clock and scoring on a 17-yard touchdown run from Barber. The junior quarterback had an outstanding game under center.

“He’s a special young man. And just, you know, to see his warrior spirit in the big-time game, and to come through and make some great plays. Really proud of him.

The Grangers would nearly convert a sneaky onside kick, but the defense would do their job and force a punt to give the offense a chance.

“Yeah, look, this team has scored 40-plus points in every game in the playoffs. And the plan that coach (Burton) Thomas put together to stop these guys was really tremendous. And the kids fought their tails off. We knew it’d be a war. I talked about it all week,” Napier said 

The Dragon offense had scored 40+ points in all three of their playoff wins before matching up with the Granger defense that limited them to just 21 points.

 

HOW IT GOT THERE:

LaGrange took both of its opening possessions into Jefferson territory but twice were forced to punt. The Grangers decided to punt on both fourth downs rather than go for it and pinned the Dragons deep each time.

The Granger offense struggled to get the run game going and subsequently, the pass game was not able to build on the usually potent rushing attack with just one completion in the first half. LaGrange found no space outside the tackles or in between them.

“I could have done a better job as a coach, you know, that’s all it comes down to, you know, I wish I’d have been able to put them in a better position. And they had a great game plan to try to slow down Malachi, it took us a little while, but we got it figured out. We’re able to move it the second half,” Napier said. 

Possessions were at a premium with both teams relying heavily on the run. Each team had just three possessions in the first half outside of LaGrange just running out the clock with their fourth possession.

Trailing 7-0 to start the second half, the Granger defense did their job once again, forcing a punt. 

 

WHAT’S NEXT:

The Grangers will not be looking to rebuild, they will look to retool and come back stronger next season.

“Semifinals, you come down to the last play of the game. LaGrange High School is a championship-caliber football program, and I promise you this, we won’t stop until we’re back with that opportunity,” a determined Napier said

It was not a large senior class, but it was a talented one for the Grangers. LaGrange will lose the likes of Spencer Stroud, Harris Grace, Clanton Reisenger, Denorayon Reid, Fannin-Render and others. These players have reset the standards for the LaGrange football program.

“This is an unbelievably special group. It’s a small group that poured their heart and soul into the program from day one. So really, really proud of them, you know, but there’s been several groups that came before,” Napier said. “Every group that’s come before got us to be in the position we are now for their leadership and their fight. They set the standard for this group of guys, and this group of guys set the standard for the guys to come.”

Despite the loss, there is little doubt that the Grangers are back as a force in high school football once again.