Some of the best and most impactful defensive players in the history of the LaGrange High football program have worn the number two, including Sam Olajubutu, Travis Hart, and Qua Huzzie.

Dexter Fitzpatrick is the current owner of the number two jersey, and in last week’s season opener against Heard County, the senior linebacker delivered a memorable performance.

In a 10-3 loss to Heard County, Fitzpatrick had a remarkable 27 tackles, including 11 solo stops and 16 assists.

Fitzpatrick had four tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

While the Grangers lost, the effort of a defense led by Fitzpatrick was the reason the game was competitive until the end.

“First all, I just want to give glory to God, giving me the ability to play,” Fitzpatrick said after Friday’s game.

Fitzpatrick added that “I came into this game to prove a point. I feel like as a team, we did. We didn’t give up a single point in the second half. We started off kind of slow, but once the energy got going, we were able to play together as a team.”

LaGrange’s other linebackers also put up big numbers in the loss.

Junior Andraka Martin had 16 tackles, including 10 solo stops, and he had a tackle for loss and a pass breakup.

Junior Jequavious Bowles added 15 tackles, with six solo tackles.

Also for LaGrange, Jakoby Smith had 11 tackles, and Vondez Taylor had 10 tackles.

KICKING STRONG: He was a weapon.

LaGrange’s offense struggled to get much going in Friday’s season-opening showdown against Heard County.

That made the presence of punter Wesley Kuhn that much more valuable to the Grangers.

Thanks to Kuhn’s booming punts, the Grangers were able to force the Braves to begin most of their possessions in their own territory.

Kuhn averaged 60 yards on his six punts, and three of his kicks pinned Heard County inside its own 20-yard line.

“I Just try to get our defense in the best position I can to stop their offense,” Kuhn said. “The further I can get it that way, the

better their chance to get stops. That puts more pressure on the other offense.”

The 6-foot-5 Kuhn saved a couple of snaps from going over his head, something he was able to do because of his height.

On one of those bad snaps, Kuhn soared into the air and came down with the ball, and he ripped off a 65-yard punt into the Heard County end zone.

Kuhn said the offseason strength program helped prepare him for the season.

“Over the summer, I did a lot of lifting,” Kuhn said. “Coach (Chuck) Gibbs has a really good weight program.”

OFFENSIVE NUMBERS: LaGrange quarterback Charles Crawford completed 9-of-14 passes for 51 yards with no interceptions, and he also had two carries for 17 yards.

Jakoby Smith was Crawford’s favorite target with four catches for 27 yards, and Koby Patton had three receptions for 16 yards.

Laracco Glaze had eight carries for 18 yards, and Myles Johnson had four attempts for 10 yards.