Leps Beat Tigers With Big Second Half
In their most important game of the season so far, the Leps put together one of their best halves of football.
La Grange rallied from a nine-point deficit and dominated the second half on their way to a 36-21 win at Smithville Friday in the district opener for both teams.
It was the 97th meeting between this historic rivals.
The memories of La Grange’s 0-4 start have faded quickly as the Leps now have a two game-winning streak.
“Our defense shut down the run game and limited the big plays,” La Grange head coach Kyle Cooper said. “Offensively we were able to run the ball in pieces and then take some big chucks (in the passing game). We overcame a lot tonight.”
La Grange improved to 2-4 overall and 1-0 in district heading into this week’s game at winless Caldwell, which is coming off a 56-7 loss to Gonzales.
Friday a whole new cast of characters played important roles as the Leps downed a Smithville team that had knocked off the Leps 14-10 last season.
Kameron Leonard had not been a big factor in the Leps passing game before Friday but caught a team-high six catches for 82 yards against the Tigers.
Freshman Dwodney Thompson was moved up to varsity to start at safety for Max Dixon, who was out sick, and Thompson had several pass breakups and big punt returns.
Varsity newcomer Doryn Fenix was a disruptive force on the defensive line.
“As a new staff it’s about finding the right guys and getting the right fits. We’ll continue to make changes,” Kyle Cooper said.
But one of the most highprofile new difference-makers for the Leps was Gabriel Sifuentes, who caught a goahead 34-yard touchdown pass from Clayton Cooper late in the third quarter.
Friday was his first varsity game.
“The first few games I was on academic probation,so coming back to the game feels good. It’s amazing,” Sifuentes said. “No matter what, I’m going to try my hardest to make this team the best.”
Sifuentes’ touchdown catch put the Leps up 22-15 and they would never lose that lead.
Smithville trimmed the Leps’ lead to 22-21 on a Noah Baxter touchdown run with 1:32 left in the third, but they missed the extra point.
The Leps then scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter on a 28yard touchdown strike from Cooper to Nate Scott, and a seven-yard touchdown run by Le’Kayvion Broussard.
Cooper ended up completing 19 of his 34 passes for three second half touchdowns (to Julian Sherman, Sifuentes and Scott), and the Leps’ junior quarterback also ran for 94 yards.
Broussard rushed for 95 yards for the Leps and two touchdowns.
The Leps ended up outgaiing the Tigers in total yardage 404 to 279.
Smithville also had a whopping 12 penalties for 125 yards.
La Grange had its struggles too, getting penalized seven times for 75 yards including See two roughing the kicker calls that gave Smithville renewed life on drives that both ended in touchdowns for the Tigers.
“We overcame penalties. We’ve got to get that cleaned up,” Kyle Cooper said. “We have a saying, ‘Stay away from dumb,’ and we did not do that tonight. Ultimately we continued to battle.”
Murry Deshay, Trip Davis and Noah Baxter all ran for touchdowns for the Tigers, but it was not enough as they fell to 1-5 overall and 1-0 in district.
The Leps defense had come into this game allowing an average of 51 points per game, but they came up with big play after big play against the Tigers.
Cordale Knapik had an early fumble recovery. Oliver Gunn had several tackles for losses.
Devonte McKenzie had a huge fourth quarter, recovering a fumble and recording back-to-back sacks.
“This win feels good, especially because it’s against our rivals,” McKenzie said. “It was frustrating earlier in the season but we have some great coaches and we’ve been able to overcome it.”