From the opening drive of Friday’s non-district contest, the Grambling Laboratory High School Kittens put their foot on the gas and didn’t let off, cruising to a 50-0 win over the Lakeside Warriors.
The Kittens defense kept the Warriors offense in check, forcing two fumbles, intercepting a pass and allowed the Warriors offense to cross the 50-yard line once.
BRANDON LaGARDE/The Gramblinite
The Grambling High Kittens in action Friday against the Lakeside Warriors in Robinson Stadium.
“This really wasn’t a test,” head Johnny Thomas said. “When we accomplish those things against teams in our district we will be fine.
“Right now we really are not playing how we should be playing. In the first half we should have scored more. We have to go back and correct our mistakes.”
On the Kittens first play from scrimmage, Austin Andrews took a jet sweep around the right edge for an untouched 53-yard rushing touchdown.
After a failed two-point conversion, Grambling Lab led 6-0 with 8:06 left in the first quarter.
Facing second and six, Grambling High’s Larry Gipson stepped in front of a Warriors pass attempt cutting their drive short.
On the second drive on the game, the Kittens started rocky, losing five yards on first down when backup quarterback Darius Williams lost his footing. (Williams replaced starter Shawn Brantley, who was suspended.)
After no gain on second down, Williams aired out a 64-yard deep ball to Archie Amos streaking down the sideline for the second score of the game.
After another failed two-point conversion, Grambling Lab led 12-0 with 4:11 left in the first quarter.
Lakeside defense with their back against the wall forced a Kitten fumble but Williams recovered. Facing fourth and seven Andrews ripped off a 27-yard shifty run but fumbled, giving the Warriors offense the ball.
With a spark from the defense Brayden Jones connected with Zane Fuller for a 15-yard juggling first down catch. The Kittens defense quickly responded forcing a fourth and 25.
Jones on fourth down called his own number rushing 24-yards and a turnover on downs.
Lakeside defense stepped up again forcing a Kittens fumble, but fumbled on the next play, giving the Kittens the ball back.
“Our offense should be able to move the football next week against Cedar Creek defense. We didn’t even have our first-string quarterback. They should be a bigger test than tonight,” said Thomas.
Andrews and the GHS offense struck again when Andrews took a jet sweep around the left edge for another untouched 47-yard touchdown run. The Kittens led 20-0.
After halftime Andrews took a pitch around the right edge for his third untouched 35-yard touchdown.
After a defensive stand, Jerome Hudson returned a punt 80-yards to push the Kittens lead to 32-0 with 5:59 left in the third quarter.
Grambling Lab offense kept rolling, scoring three rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter to close out the game.