Loachapoka dominates LaFayette in region matchup
BY NOAH GRIFFITH
FOR THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LAFAYETTE — The Loachapoka Indians spoiled the LaFayette Bulldogs’ home opener with a 47-0 win on Friday night at Bulldog Stadium. Both teams own a 2-2 record after the matchup of 2A Region 4 foes.
After a 41-7 loss to Lanett a week prior, it was a must-win scenario for Loachapoka and head coach Branden Hall, and they delivered. The Indians are now 1-1 in the region, while LaFayette falls to 0-2.
“[The loss to Lanett] was one of the worst games I’ve been a part of as a head coach as far as execution and guys playing hard. The guys came in on Monday and hit the reset button, and we had a great week of practice and preparation,” Hall said. “They were locked in this week because they wanted to make sure we get a win and put us in a spot to make a run at the playoffs.”
The hard work paid off on both sides of the ball for the Indians.
On offense, the running game was dominant, which Hall accredited to stealthy play from the offensive line. Loachapoka had two 100-yard rushers in senior quarterback KJ Carter (105) and junior running back Lareaco Echols (107). Echols found the end zone three times in the game – twice on runs and another on a punt return. Carter ran it in two more times while recording his third 100-yard rushing game of the season.
Carter also went 4-for-8 on passes for 52 yards, including a TD to sophomore receiver Rodney Doolittle.
“[I] give credit to the bigs up front, man,” Hall said of his offensive line. “When those skill guys get to running free, people overlook the bigs, but the bigs are the ones getting it done.”
Hall also praised his QB, who is the team’s leading rusher with an average of 118.3 rushing yards per game.
“KJ man, he’s a phenomenal kid – heck of a competitor and great athlete,” Hall said. “He’ll play football somewhere after high school, I guarantee you that, because he’s so athletic and a football-savvy guy. I’m proud of that guy. We’ve just got to lean on him and his leadership to get us to where we’re going.”
On defense, the Indians’ first shutout of the season is a huge morale booster after they surrendered 31 points in the loss to Lee-Scott Academy and 41 to Lanett. Hall regards the defensive front seven as the “heartbeat” of the team, and they showed why against LaFayette.
Loachapoka registered five tackles for a loss, led by junior Jaden Mabson and senior Zicarrion Menefield with two a piece. Sophomore linebacker Peter Chenier added a TFL, and senior Mitchell Chenier and sophomore Ryquan Butler added four tackles each.
The Indians also won the turnover battle, 2-0, thanks to interceptions from Peter Chenier and junior defensive back Hayden Libscomb.
“The front seven is where it’s at,” Hall emphasized. “If we continue to stop the run game, I think we have a good opportunity to be successful in this region.”
This is a big confidence booster for Loachapoka, who has won the matchup with the Bulldogs two years in a row. Still, the schedule doesn’t ease up for either of these teams going forward.
Loachapoka sits in fourth in the region, and it will go on the road to face division leader and reigning 2A state champion Reeltown next week. Reeltown won the matchup last season, 27-13, and owns a 3-1 record after a 56-7 win over Ranburne.
LaFayette and sixth-year head coach Juan Williams fall to sixth in the region, tied with Horseshoe Bend for the bottom spot. The Bulldogs stay at home to host Lanett next week. The Panthers are 3-1 coming off a 51-0 victory over Barbour County and are 1-0 in region play.
Lafayette and Loachapoka are both vying for winning seasons after going 5-5 in the regular season last year. The Indians took the last playoff spot in the region last season, while the Bulldogs missed the postseason.
