LaFayette falls to Lanett in two quarters; game ends early
BY SAMUEL JONES
FOR THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LAFAYETTE — Friday night’s rivalry game between the LaFayette Bulldogs and the Lanett Panthers ended early because of a shooting that took place at a home across the street from the home side of the stadium toward the end of the half-time period. No students, players or fans were injured or involved.
LaFayette Mayor Kenneth Vines issued a statement on Facebook stating that the shooting that tragically took a life was an isolated incident and not related to the school or game in anyway. He also confirmed that an arrest had been made and that it is still an ongoing investigation.
The Game
After three straight kickoffs to open the game, Lanett wasted no time setting the tone in Friday night’s rivalry matchup. The Panthers’ defense came out aggressive, stuffing a double pass attempt on the first play for a loss of yards and forcing a quick three-and-out.
Starting from their own 13-yard line, Lanett showed their offensive identity right away — a steady dose of power running behind a dominant offensive line. Running back No. 0 broke off a 40-yard run on the first snap, and the Panthers leaned on the run game five more times before the quarterback Fred Braughton capped the drive with a short keeper for the game’s opening touchdown.
The defense continued to have their way with LaFayette, forcing another three-and-out. This time the Lanett offense needed just two plays to up the score, as running back Jacobia Stiggers burst through the middle for a 69-yard touchdown run to put the Panthers up 14-0.
LaFayette looked like it might find some momentum late in the first quarter. Quarterback Kemare Harrington connected on his first pass completion, scrambled for nine yards and then picked up another first down on a tipped pass in the flats hauled in by wide receiver Cameron Thomas for a 15-yard gain. But a holding penalty and back-to-back incompletions stalled the drive, keeping the Bulldogs off the scoreboard.
Lanett took advantage of another costly LaFayette mistake to begin the second quarter. Facing fourth-and-long after a sack from Tyquavious Gaines, the Panthers were gifted new life when a facemask penalty extended the drive. Braughton found wide receiver David Varner for a first down conversion and running back No. 0 finished it off with a rushing score to push the lead to 21-0 midway through the quarter.
The Panthers were not finished. After a short LaFayette punt gave them the ball at the Bulldogs’ 30-yard line, Braughton tucked and ran for a 30-yard touchdown on the very next drive, extending the lead to 28-0.
LaFayette tried to respond with a solid kick return to the 41-yard line, but the drive sputtered. On fourth down, a desperate fake punt attempt failed, handing possession back to Lanett.
The Panthers continued to display their balance as Braughton aired out a deep ball to wide receiver Lorenzo Truitt, setting up first-and-goal. From there, running back No. 0 punched in his second touchdown of the night, then added the two-point conversion for a commanding 36-0 lead in the final minute of the half.
Before the end of the first half, LaFayette caught another bad break, fumbling the kickoff, but the clock expired before Lanett could capitalize again.
Lanett went into halftime firmly in control, dominating both sides of the ball with physical runs, explosive plays and relentless defensive pressure.
Up Next
Lanett will travel to Handley High School next Friday, while LaFayette looks to regroup at home when they host Red Level.
