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The LaGrange football team made light work of Whitewater for homecoming, trouncing the Wildcats 42-14.

“That’s a really good football team that we just beat, they were undefeated in the region coming into this game for a reason,” LaGrange coach Matt Napier said. “Our guys came out and set the tone early and we were able to keep that going for all our quarters.”

It was another night that belonged to Malachi Fannin-Render on offense. The senior tailback ended the game with four total touchdowns, three in the first half.

“He is such a special player for us and the special things we see him do at practice are showing up in the games,” Napier said. “He is a kid that has dealt with a ton of setbacks with injuries earlier in his career, so it is great to see him out there making plays every week for us.”

Fannin-Render already had two touchdowns and LaGrange a 21-0 lead by the time Whitewater scored.

The defense set the tone early. Homecoming king Kayden Sutton was flying around on defense and recovered a fumble on the opening drive of the game, returning it into the red zone. The Granger offense capitalized with a first-play touchdown from Fannin-Render.

“The team played great, that is the most important thing,” Sutton said after the game, flashing a big smile with his crown still on his head. “It was a special night.”

The defense forced a 3-and-out on the ensuing drive and the offense drove down the field and gave the Grangers a two-score lead on a 16-yard touchdown run from Fannin-Render.

The LaGrange defense was not done there as Spencer Stroud forced a fumble on a sack that was recovered by the defense. One play later, Denorayon Reid threw a 55-yard touchdown to Julian Jones on a trick play.

“We are kind of known for those things,” Napier said, flashing a big grin. “Reid is one of those veteran guys on our team and we trust him in big moments like that. With some injuries he had to step in and play some safety for us tonight too.”

Stroud would come through with another big sack to end the first half with Whitewater driving in LaGrange territory.

“Plays like that are huge momentum shifters for us and those are the type of moments the defense lives for,” Stroud said. 

Stroud and the defense forced five turnovers in total.

The Wildcats would finally get on the board with a short rushing touchdown with 4:28 left to go in the first half. LaGrange would not let that stand and quickly struck back on a 62-yard touchdown connection from starting quarterback Dylan Barber to Fannin-Render.

Another Wildcat turnover with under two minutes to go would set up the Granger offense in enemy territory. LaGrange would capitalize again when Barber scampered into the end zone with 19 seconds to go in the first half.

The Grangers scored just 20 seconds into the second half when Fannin-Render took the handoff 70 yards to the house to give LaGrange a commanding 42-7 lead. With the quick score in the second half, a running clock ensued and the fans were treated to a quick game night at Callaway Stadium.

The LaGrange defense would not relent and forced another fumble to start the fourth quarter and Jay Mitchell dove on it in the end zone to keep the Wildcats from scoring a second touchdown.

Whitewater would eventually find the end zone again with under three minutes left in the game, but it served as little more than consolation.

LaGrange improved to 5-2 overall and 4-1 in region play. The Grangers will host Mary Persons in a region matchup next Thursday.