Fannin-Render and Barber lead LaGrange to blow out win in opening round of the playoffs

The LaGrange football team went on the road to Lumpkin County for the opening round of the playoffs on Friday night, pounding the Indians into submission with a dominant 48-6 win.

LaGrange opened the state playoffs with a dominant 48-6 win over Lumpkin County on Friday night in Dahlonega.

The Grangers (8-3) took the opening coin toss, elected to receive and marched right down the field on the opening possession to take a 7-0 lead after Malachi Fannin-Render found the end zone.

The senior running back was just getting started and scored two more rushing touchdowns in just the first quarter of play. Fannin-Render got a short rushing touchdown to put the Grangers up 14-0 before rattling off a 50-yarder late in the first quarter to give the away team a 21-0 advantage after the extra point.

“We knew coming in that we had to establish the run and we did that early,” LaGrange head coach Matt Napier said. “We were able to get some big plays early, and that really set the tone for the game. Our offensive line did a great job of opening up some holes for our running backs, and they were able to take advantage of it.”

LaGrange kept up the momentum in the second quarter. The Grangers did not throw their first pass until the second quarter as the run game was unstoppable. Starting quarterback Dylan Barber got in on the fun in the second quarter and put the Grangers up 28-0 early in the second quarter after an 82-yard touchdown run.

Barber did eventually get to throw the ball and connected with Kalvin Snowberger on a 67-yard touchdown pass on the first pass attempt in the game.

“It was great to see Dylan get involved in the running game like that,” Napier added. “He’s a very talented runner, and we’re always looking for ways to get him the ball. He had a huge run in the first half that really put the game away for us. We’re going to need him to continue to be a threat in the running game as we move forward in the playoffs.”

The Grangers had a chance to extend their lead before halftime, but a missed field goal at the buzzer kept the lead at 35-0.

The LaGrange defense was swarming all night and got some plush plays in the second and third quarter. Kayden Sutton got an interception and a long return late in the first half. Corn Brown recovered a fumble on the opening possession of the second half. Jay Mitchell would get an interception and return the ball to the six-yard line just minutes later. Barber would score on the ensuing drive to put the Grangers up 42-0.

With the lead secure, LaGrange emptied out the bench and got some of their younger reserves some playoff experience.

Lumpkin County finally broke through and got some points on the board with a touchdown late in the third quarter against the second and third string defense.

The Grangers second unit on offense kept up the scoring. Cason McGill found Riley Cockrell for a touchdown with just three minutes to go in the game.

LaGrange has now won a playoff game in four of the first five seasons under Napier after not winning a playoff game since 2012 before he took over. The Grangers will travel to rematch region champions Sandy Creek next Friday for the second round of the state playoffs. The Grangers lost the first matchup between the two teams this season, 28-7.