Leps Start Slow But Finish Strong in Final Preseason Scrimmage

La Grange’s final preseason football scrimmage didn’t start very well, but got better as the night wore on.

Last Thursday the Leps hosted Franklin (a 3A team that has gone to four consecutive state title games, winning two). It’s the final tuneup for La Grange before they officially open the 2024 season at home this Friday at 7:30 p.m against Cameron.

Against Franklin the Leps were outscored 24-6 during a back-and-forth alternation of possessions between the two teams.

One of the few bright spots for the Leps during that span was a 31-yard touchdown pass from Clayton Cooper to Dwodney Thompson.

But then the two teams played a live half of football and the Leps tied the Lions 7-7, with Le’Kayvion Broussard scoring on a eight-yard run and Taylor Cook nailing the extra point.

“In both of our scrimmages (including two weeks ago against El Campo) we have finished strong and we pride ourselves on that – start fast, finish strong,” said La Grange head coach Kyle Cooper.

Franklin runs the same Slot-T offense that new Leps’ district rival Bellville does, so Thursday was a good prep for later in the season.

“This gave us a huge jolt of confidence,” said La Grange defensive lineman Oliver Gunn of the way his team finished the scrimmage. “We have come so far from last year. We have worked so hard.”

Broussard had several impressive runs for the Leps Thursday, but Jaylances Johnson, Da’Von Giscome and Dillan Johnson all had several carries as well. Backup quarterback Eli Gillum also had some scrambles for big yardage.

Gillum, Thompson, Mason Kleiber, Dillan Johnson and Cole Collier all caught passes in the scrimmage as the Leps continued to play their up-tempo, no-huddle offense that began last year under Coach Cooper.

“This offense, we play fast,” said La Grange center Javier Cuevas. “But we’re built for this. The whole idea is to make the defenses as tired as possible and they were. That’s what we are all about – tempo.”

When asked about any individual performances that impressed him Thursday Coach Cooper said, “Devonte Mckenzie plays his keys so well on defense. Max Dixon was always flying around. I thought that the offensive line got better as the night wore on. Receivers were making plays. I thought it was a god night all around.”