La Grange’s Football Season Comes to An End in Loss to Smithville
In a game La Grange needed to win to make the playoffs, the Leps turned the ball over six times and lost to Smithville 31-13 in the regular season finale at Leopard Stadium.
The Tigers ended up outgaining La Grange by just sixteen yards (358 to 342) but it was those six turnovers (four interceptions, three of which were snagged by Smithville’s Charles Hodge, and two fumbles) that proved to be the difference. Three of the turnovers occurred inside the Tigers’ 10 yard line after La Grange had put together strong drives.
“You just can’t do those things,” said La Grange head coach Matt Kates of the turnovers. “It’s not a lack of effort. The ball just bounced their way. It’s a silly game and sometimes it’s not your night.”
La Grange ends the season with a 4-6 overall record and a 1-4 record in district. This is the first time the Leps have missed the postseason since 2017, and only the second time since 2011.
“Nothing lasts forever,” said La Grange senior lineman Philip Matocha. “It’s sad, but life goes on. The next chapter will begin and you just have to keep your head up and move on.”
Smithville, meanwhile, improves to 5-5 overall and 3-2 in district (third place) and will host Wimberley Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The game started well for La Grange as the Leps took an early 6-0 lead on a 51-yard touchdown run by D.J. Taylor with seven minutes left in the first quarter.
That was part of a big game by the Leps senior running back, who has been a key contributor for three years. Taylor ended up having 29 carries for 198 yards Friday.
But La Grange would have three turnovers before halftime and Smithville would build a 17-6 lead going into the break on a pair of Christian Adkins touchdown runs and a Jesse Mayes 25-yard field goal.
After halftime, Smithville scored on their first possession as another Adkins touchdown run (this time a three-yarder) capped a 62-yard drive.
La Grange answered back, however, with a 14-yard touchdown run by Bravion Rogers. Jackson Bundick’s point after kick trimmed the Smithville lead to 24-13.
On the Tigers’ next possession, La Grange’s Clay Wolff intercepted a pass near midfield
But three players later La Grange fumbled the ball away.
Smithville tacked on one more score, a seven-yard run by quarterback Blake Segel, with 6:44 left in the game to put things out of reach.
This was a roller-coaster year for the Leps. They came into district play riding a threegame win streak, but injuries to a host of seniors, left back-ups and JV call-ups thrust into key spots for the Leps.
“We went through a lot of adversity but we tried to fight through it and get better each week,” said La Grange senior defensive back Jordan Scott.
“A year like no other,” Kates said. “Hate that it ends this way because they deserve more, they deserve more out of me. This coaching staff did a heck of a job. Wins and losses fall on me and it always should. These kids just battled, regardless of what was thrown at them.
“Through all the adversity, they are going to be great, great human beings because of it.”
In all, 21 seniors played their final game for La Grange Friday – big shoes to fill for sure, but the Leps JV Gold team did go undefeated in district, so there is plenty of hope for the future.
“I love every single one of them (the seniors),” said sophomore linebacker Andrew Faske. “My brother’s a part of that group. That’s the saddest thing about tonight for me.”
“I think it (the future) is really bright, Almost everybody on the defense is coming back. It will be something special.”
Smithville 31, La Grange 13
Scoring summary
FIRST QUARTER
LA GRANGE – 7:00, D.J. Taylor 51 run (conversion run failed)
SMITHVILLE – 5:48, Christian Adkins 18 run (Jesse Mayes kick)
SECOND QUARTER
SMITHVILLE – 11:53, Adkins 7 run (Mayes kick)
SMITHVILLE – :07, Mayes 25 yard field goal
THIRD QUARTER
SMITHVILLE – 9:51, Adkins 4 run (Mayes kick)
LA GRANGE – 6:13, Bravion Rogers 14 run (Jackson Bundick kick)
FOURTH QUARTER
SMITHVILLE – 6:44, Blake Segel 7 run (Mayes kick)
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Rushing – La Grange: D.J. Taylor 29-198, Ryder Imhoff 3-23, Bravion Rogers 1-14, Jakobe Wilkerson 1-10, Clay Wolff 3-5, Ryder Reid 1-2, Team 1-(-5); Smithville: Blake Segel 17-130, Armante Chase 4-115, Christian Adkins 14-57, Chris Sanders 3-44, Tharon Green 1-4.
Passing – La Grange: Wolff 6 of 22 for 95 yards with 4 INTS; Smithville: Segel 2 of 7 for 8 yards with 1 INT
Receiving – La Grange: Imhoff 4-73, Dana Baker 2-22, Rogers 1-4; Smithville: Adkins 1-8, Terrell Henderson 1-0.
Friday’s scores:
Navasota 37, Giddings 35
Cuero 56, Gonzales 7
Smithville 31, La Grange 13
Playoffs: Smithville vs. Wimberley, Cuero vs. Navarro, Giddings vs. Manor New Tech, Navasota vs. Austin Achieve.