Leopards Bash Giddings
In one of the most historic football rivalries in Texas, La Grange downed Giddings Friday to put the Leps on the verge of a playoff berth. The Leps bashed the Buffaloes 38-14 in a continuation of a rivalry that has been going on almost every season for over a century. This one was over early as La Grange jumped out to a 24-0 lead and never looked back.
“It’s good to get back on this side of things in this rivalry,” said La Grange head coach Matt Kates, whose team has won two in a row against Giddings after snapping a six-year skid to the Buffaloes last season. “It’s always tough over here ... I’m proud of our guys. We’ve had our ups and downs this season but we’re starting to play well at the right time.” Friday’s victory coupled with Gonzales’ 52-44 win over Smithville vaults the Leps (4-4 overall and 2-1 in district) into a three-way tie for second place in the district standings with the Apaches and Tigers. This Friday Gonzales comes to Leopard Stadium. If the Leps win, it will assure them at least the No. 3 playoff seed in District 12-4A. If the Leps beat Gonzales by six or more if would assure the Leps at least the No. 2 playoff seed in the district if those three teams stay tied in the standings at the end of the season.
It’s a fortunate turn of events for a La Grange team that now has won two in a row in blowout fashion, including 44-10 over Caldwell two weeks ago. Meanwhile, the Leps defense has not allowed more than 14 points in any of their three district games this season.
“It’s been great,” said La Grange senior lineman Anthony Weikel. “We were lacking in some areas but we have come together as a team and it’s been amazing.”
Friday it was a methodical running game that fueled the Leps. Jaden Williams started the scoring with a 14-yard touchdown run on the Leps first possession of the game.
Then on Giddings’ first possession, the Buffaloes fumbled away the ball and La Grange defensive back Thai Scott scooped it up and returned the ball 25 yards for a touchdown.
“We rep it every Tuesday, take-away-Tuesday, scoop-andscore, don’t over-run it, with his athleticism he took it in to score and it was on from there,” Kates said
“I was locked on the tight end, saw the ball come out and everything started moving in slow motion,” Scott said. “I scooped it up and took it to the house.
Phillip Arceneaux, who has emerged as such a kicking weapon for the Leps, booming kick-offs into the endzone with regularity, added a 32 yard field goal to make it 17-0 Leps before the first quarter was over
Nathan Scott then caught a six-yard pass from Bear Meng to make it 24-0 Leps.
Giddings finally got on the scoreboard on a one-yard Georges Awad touchdown run late in the second quarter. Awad led Giddings with 106 yards rushing on 24 carries
Jakobe Wilkerson added a pair of touchdown runs in the third quarter – of 37 and 38 yards – to keep the scoreboard lighting up for the Leps
Giddings’ final score was a Kolbie Clemons four-yard run in the fourth quarter.
La Grange now turns its attention to Gonzales for a game this Friday with huge playoff implications.