Leps Beat Caldwell 52-35 on Homecoming

Opposing teams may not kick the ball anywhere near Dwodney Thompson the rest of the season.

And with good reason. Thompson, a speedy La Grange sophomore, had kickoff returns of 90 and 95 yards for touchdowns to help lead the Leps to a 52-35 homcoming night victory over Caldwell Friday.

“This was a special one. Our team needed some big time plays and we went out there and got them,” Thompson said.

“The biggest thing about a kick returner is that when they see it (a hole) they have to hit it,” said La Grange head coach Kyle Cooper. “You can’t be afraid, and you have to have a lot of trust in your teammates and he (Thompson) has both qualities.”

Thompson also had an interception Friday, one of four takeaways that were key to a victory on a night when Caldwell otherwise almost matched the Leps on total yards from scrimmage (362 for the Leps and 360 for the Hornets).

“I thought it was a good night,” Coach Cooper said. “We moved the ball offensively and got turnovers defensively. Credit Caldwell, they played hard.”

Caldwell also matched the Leps in kickoff returns for touchdowns as Korbin Burns returned two Leps kicks for scores from 80 and 88 yards away – but that was not enough against these Leps.

“Getting this win feels amazing,” said La Grange junior defensive lineman Erick Guevara. “Hopefully we can keep getting after it.”

Friday’s victory gets the Leps back into the playoff race. La Grange is now 5-3 overall and 1-2 in district. A win Friday at historic rival Giddings would punch La Grange’s ticket to the postseason.

Friday’s game provided a stark contrast in styles.

La Grange was much more balanced, getting a teamhigh 101 yards rushing from quarterback Clayton Cooper and 82 more from Da’Von Giscome. Cooper ran for two scores, and Giscome and Le’Kayvion Broussard had one rushing touchdown each.

But the Leps also got 140 yards passing from Cooper (including a 41-yard touchdown to Mason Kleiber).

Caldwell meanwhile, just had 11 yards passing and Hornet junior quarterback Coy Becka was intercepted by Thompson and Max Dixon.

But behind a big offensive line, the Hornets ran the ball well – 349 total yards rushing with Becka running for 195 and Michael Butler running for 153.

Now the Leps turn their attention to Giddings, which is 2-6 overall and 1-2 in district and coming off a 60-0 loss to Bellville. But last year Giddings beat La Grange 2321 and earlier this season the Buffaloes beat Caldwell by the exact same 52-35 margin that the Leps did. But since then, Giddings has lost two in a row, while the Leps have renewed confidence

“We’ve worked so hard for this. It feels so good to win after a tough start to district. Feels like we have some momentum now,” said La Grange senior offensive lineman Wesley Kulhanek.

“I love rivalries,” said Coach Cooper about the matchup with Giddings. “At the end of the day the biggest opponent you will ever face is yourself. My message to the team tomorrow morning is ‘we need to come out with sense of urgency to go be great.”