Corky Kell & Dave Hunter Classic Team Previews - LaGrange

LaGrange achieved its first double-digit win season since 2009 last year and the team’s successful playoff run to the semifinals marked the deepest the Grangers have gotten since the early 2000’s when the program won three of its six all-time state titles. Head coach Matt Napier has been at the helm during this resurgence—leading the team out of a four-year stretch (2016-19) that produced a 6-34 overall record to five-straight playoff appearances and a 44-17 record. Winning has brought excitement back to the proud tradition of LaGrange football and a massive Class of 2026 with 30 total seniors gives LaGrange perhaps its deepest and most experienced team that coach Napier has had.

Mascot: Grangers

County: Troup

Head Coach: Matt Napier (2020-25)

Coach’s School Record: 44-17

Coach’s Overall Record: 44-17

2024 Record: 10-4

2024 Region Rank: 3rd (No. 20 overall seed)

2024 Playoff Finish: Semifinals (L 21-13, Jefferson)

Overall School Record: 810-394-40

State Championships: 1955 (2A), 1958 (3A), 1991 (4A), 2001 (3A), 2003 (3A), 2004 (3A)

Key Returning Offensive Starters: Dylan Barber (QB), Noah Stargill (OL), Carson Shattuck (OL), Fred Vaughn (OL), AJ Johnson (HB), Jett Napier (TE), Kalvin Snowberger (WR), Julian Jones (WR), Jardon Stringer (WR)

Key Returning Defensive Starters: Braylon Smith (DL), Nehemiah McLaughlin (DL), Noah Outland (LB), Cornelius Brown (LB), Hezekyah Avery (LB), Javier Easter (FOX/OLB), Zy’corius Huzzie (CB), Mason Blandingburg (S)

Key Newcomers: : Abi Ayala (DT/HB), Peyton Davis (RB), Jadarrian Williams (S)

Returning Kickers: Nate Calhoun (P), Cooper Metcalf (K)

Offensive Formation: Multiple Spread Gap Scheme

Defensive Formation: 4-2-5

School Enrollment: 1,301

Experience is one of the biggest strengths of this year’s LaGrange team and there are nine returning starters on the offensive side of the ball.  

“We have 30 seniors this year and this past year we graduated 12 seniors off of a semifinal team,” said head coach Matt Napier. “A lot of those 30 seniors were players on last year’s team and so we are expecting big things from this group.”

This includes quarterback Dylan Barber and the core of the offensive line with Noah Stargill, Carson Shattuck and Fred Vaughn. AJ Johnson is returning to the H-Back role and three experienced wide receivers are back to lead an offense that scored 34.4 points per game last year with Kalvin Snowberger, Julian Jones and Jardon Stringer.

On the defensive side of the football, LaGrange allowed just 16 ppg last season and the run to the semifinals provided evidence that the defense has what it takes to make the Grangers a strong contender in Class 3A this season. Noah Outland is a big-time recruit at the linebacker position and he got hurt just three games into last season. A healthy Outland is going to be a force with linebackers Cornelius Brown, Hezekyah Avery and Javier Easter all returning after playing together throughout last year’s successes. On the defensive line, Braylon Smith and Nehemiah McLaughlin are expected to take the next step on the field as well as collegiate prospects and the secondary features Zy’corius Huzzle and Mason Blandingbury.

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