In Friday’s district game, emotions were high for the Kittens’ on their Homecoming game and Senior Night. For the six seniors on the team this game was win or lose, and Grambling Lab did not disappoint.
They pulled away late to a 52-20 victory over the Ringgold Redskins in the Eddie Robinson Memorial Stadium.
“This was an emotional win for us,” said head coach Jerald Kennedy. “Our kids dug deep to overcome adversity. We put our seniors out with a win. This win feels amazing. It was great for the school and fans.”
On Grambling Lab opening possession, running back Austin Andrews took a sweep around the left end for the first score of the game. Andrews finished with 22 carries, 289 yards and four touchdowns.
Later in the first quarter, the Redskins took advantage of a Kittens’ turnover on downs. This resulted in a one-play 69-yard bomb from quarter back Brad Smith to wide receiver Jackson Rogers. With 3:46 left in the first quarter, the score was tied at 8.
Grambling Lab didn’t take long to score. Andrews ran for 20-yards, then 26-yards and after a 15-yard face mask penalty, the Kittens were set up on the Redskins 7-yard line. On the next play, running back Jerome Hudson walked in for a 7-yard touchdown. On the ensuing drive, the Kittens defensive got a safety to go up 16-8.
After the punt from the Redskins, Andrews rushed in a 37-yard touchdown. The Kittens took their largest lead of the game 24-8.
Ringgold responded right back with their own two-play drive. Jackson Rodgers took his first run for 28 yards out of bounce. Then Rodgers broke free for a 49-yard touchdown.
Ringgold’s attempted an onside kick which gave the Kittens good field position. On the next play, Hudson broke for a 26-yard run. Following that play, the Redskins had two unsportsmanlike penalty which put Grambling Lab on the Redskins 1-yard line. Andrew took a 1 yard dive that gave the Kittens a 32-14 lead with 8:36 left in the second quarter. Ringgold’s scored five plays later with another 50-yard bomb from Smith to Jackson. At halftime, the Kitten’s lead 32-20.
“At halftime we felt we can hold on to the lead,” said Kennedy. In the second half, Grambling Lab defense held Ringgold to zero points. Grambling Lab ran away in the second scoring three touchdown winning 52-20.
“We put our seniors out with a win and we won homecoming tonight was a great accomplishment,” said Kennedy.