La Grange Slams Smithville 41-7
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La Grange’s Christian Biles recovered two first half fumbles Friday. Here he holds one up for all to see. Photo by Jeff Wick -
Smithville’s Bodie Goertz tries desperately to hold onto La Grange quarterback Eli Gillum Friday. Photo by Jeff Wick -
La Grange’s Mason Kleiber fights for yards after a catch Friday. Photo by Jeff Wick -
La Grange’s Howard Holmes stops Smithville’s Justin Gurley in his tracks Friday. Photo by Jeff Wick
With dozens of former Leopard state champs watching, the current crop of La Grange football players rose to the occasion.
The Leps slammed Smithville 41-7 Friday on a night when the 1975 and 2000 La Grange state champ football teams were honored on the “Night of Champions” at Leopard Stadium.
“I think tonight we showed them that the passion has stayed the same and we are the same gritty team they were 25 and 50 years ago,” said La Grange running back Dillan Johnson, who scored three touchdowns Friday.
By the time halftime rolled around for those former players to take the field and be announced to the crowd for the 25 and 50 year anniversary of their titles, this game already seemed over.
The Leps build a 21-0 halftime lead over the Tigers and kept pouring it on in the second half.
La Grange just missed what would have been their first defensive shutout since 2021 when Smithville finally scored on a Rorry Johnson five-yard run with 4:33 left in the game.
But otherwise this night belonged to the Leopards as they sent Smithville to its 13th consecutive loss dating back to last season.
“We had a few mistakes tonight but we played hard,” said La Grange head coach Kyle Cooper. “I’m proud of our guys, they were flying around ... There’s only one stat that matters, turnover margin, we post that in the locker room. We won the turnover battle tonight.”
La Grange forced four turnovers and lost only one.
Christian Biles recovered a pair of Smithville fumbles. Casen Conrad and Dwodney Thompson both snagged interceptions for the Leps, who improved to 2-1 with the victory.
La Grange junior quarterback Eli Gillum threw for 170 yards and three touchdowns and also ran for a team-high 88 yards and another score.
One of Gillum’s touchdown passes went to Klayton Michalka, whose grandfather Jeff Michalka was on that 1975 team.
“It was good to see La Grange doing good on the field ... good running backs and good blockers,” Jeff Michalka said, nodding to his grandson. “It was good to see some of my old teammates because we aren’t getting any younger.”
Klayton said he was proud of the show he and his teammates put on for the returning players.
“We showed them nothing’s changed, we are still the same Leopard team, and striving for greatness,” Klayton said.
Coach Cooper echoed those thoughts.
“Our kids work hard, they put time and effort into this program. Tonight was great, but I think if those guys (former players) could see us every day, they would be proud of what the Leopards are doing day-in and day-out.”
Now La Grange turns its attention to Taylor, which comes to town Friday. The Ducks are 0-3 and coming off a 48-7 loss to Lago Vista.