Leps Dominate Splendora 38-7
East Texas agrees with the Leps more than the Hill Country.
The past two weeks the La Grange football team has made long road trips. And while the trip west to Lago Vista two weeks ago was nothing to write home about (a 34-point loss), Friday’s even longer trip east to Splendora was well worth the drive for the Leps as they demolished Splendora 38-7.
“We responded tonight from a tough week in a big way,” said La Grange head coach Matt Kates. “But I told the guys, let’s not respond anymore, let’s keep this momentum and roll.” In a stadium half-ringed by the tall timbers of big thicket country, La Grange (2-3) limited the Wildcats (1-4) to just 81 total yards of offense. Meanwhile, the Leps gained 407 yards themselves. It was a season-high in points scored for the Leps, coupled with a season-low for points allowed. Jakobe Wilkerson ran for two touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass. “He’s been a player for us for 3.5 years,” Kates said of Wilkerson. “His role switched a little this year. He was a first team all-district defensive guy who is now toting the rock for us. We think that’s the formula.” Those three TDs were a varsity high for Wilkerson.
“My teammates were blocking and I just followed them,” Wilkerson said. “I really enjoyed tonight. We all worked well together.”
Jaden Williams caught a touchdown pass and ran for a score. Sophomore quarterback Bear Meng, in just his third game on varsity, looked very polished, completing 14 of 20 passes for 169 yards, and completed passes to seven different receivers.
La Grange just missed shutting out Splendora The Wildcats only score came when Jason Williams stripped a La Grange receiver after a catch and returned the ball 33 yards for a touchdown.
Lep defensive back Jacob Chovanetz snagged an interception as part of a very stingy night by the La Grange secondary. They limited Splendora to 7 of 20 passing for just 18 yards through the air. “We did some things different defensively tonight and we think we found something we liked,” Kates said. La Grange’s Bravion Rogers was twice stopped just short of the endzone on a long pass play and long run play. At the end of the run early in the third quarter he hobbled off the field and never returned but was walking under his own power. Friday’s big victory gives the Leps plenty of positives to dwell on during their bye this week. They return to action Friday Oct. 7 at home against Smithville (1-4) in the district opener for both teams.
“Going into district, we gotta use all our momentum, energy, and whatever,” said La Grange running back and defensive back C.J. Davis. “We’re not concerned about the past, we’re only concerned about Smithville coming to La Grange.”