A Banged-Up Smithville Loses to Rival LaGrange, 41-7

By Kristen Meriwether, Publisher

The Smithville Tigers brought two pairs of crutches to LaGrange for their matchup with their rivals on Friday night. And they left Leopard Stadium with players using both of them in a tough 41-7 loss.

At the start of the second quarter, the Smithville defense recovered a fumble at its own 15, but the offense was unable to get a first down and had to punt.

Smithville kicker Zane Perkins was deep in his own end zone and as he got his punt away, a player from LaGrange ran into Perkins’ plant leg. Perkins immediately grabbed his knee and went down to the turf, where he remained for several minutes. LaGrange was flagged for unnecessary roughness on the play.

Perkins, a senior, was unable to walk off on his own and spent the rest of the game on the sidelines on crutches with ice wrapped around his knee.

“It was a cheap play, and it cost a good kid an opportunity to continue to play,” Smithville head coach Layne Neumann said after the game. “We're hoping for the best. We don't know for sure what it is, but we’re hoping, praying for the best.”

The injury to Perkins was the first of two that required crutches on the night, exacerbating an already injury-plagued season for the Tigers. In the third quarter, defensive back Javon Webster suffered a right ankle injury. He was able to walk off under his own power, but was later seen on the sidelines on crutches.

Coach Neumann was forced to rely on his backups, which included sending lineman John Perryman in as an emergency kicker.

The senior handled kickoff duties, and when Smithville scored late in the fourth quarter, Perryman nailed the extra point.

“We lost our kicker tonight, but we found one in John Perryman, and I'm so proud of that kid,” Neumann said.

Despite the lopsided final score, Smithville's defense provided the highlights, forcing multiple fourth-down stops and creating turnover opportunities that kept the Tigers in contention early. The unit stopped a field goal attempt on the first series of the game and then held LaGrange on fourth-and-14 in the first quarter at midfield with the score at 7-0.

Elijah Fletcher anchored the effort with several key tackles, including an open-field stop and a third-down pressure that led to a punt. Bodie Goertz and Rorry Johnson also contributed with strong plays in coverage and run support.

“I found some kids that had some grit tonight,” Neumann said. “I found some kids that are going to give it all for the program, and those kids stepped up tonight.”

Offensively, the Tigers struggled against LaGrange's pressure, committing multiple turnovers, including two interceptions and two fumbles that led to Leopard points.

Starting quarterback Trip Davis was pulled in the fourth quarter to give backups reps, with Johnson taking over under center and scoring Smithville's lone touchdown on a 6-yard keeper with 4:33 remaining.

Neumann did not mince words after the game, saying, “Trip is our quarterback.” He said the move was to get other players reps to help cover injuries.

Justin Gurley, who appeared to be nursing a shoulder injury for much of the game, provided tough yards on the ground, while receivers Eric Thompson and Aiden Peacock made notable catches.

LaGrange was able to capitalize on Smithville's miscues, building a 21-0 halftime lead before pulling away in the second half.

“It's tough to lose a rivalry game, but our kids are pouring their heart and soul into this, and that's all I can ask for,” Neumann said. “I love our kids. Our kids play hard. They fight hard. They fought till the very end.”