Blog LIVE Game Blog - Lafayette (4-0) vs. Grafton (1-3) at Bailey Field

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Greetings from Yorktown on this 70-degree night as the sun sets in Yorktown at Bailey Field, where the reigning Region 3A Champion Lafayette Rams (4-0) visit the Grafton Clippers (1-4).
We'll have updates on this first Thursday of October 2024 throughout the night here and via Twitter or 'X' as it is more commonly known @hatfieldsports

Before we kick it off, let's get to our mini capsule and picks from the game earlier on the V.I.P. Board...


Lafayette (4-0) at Grafton (1-3) . . . Andy Linn’s Rams of Lafayette have won 13 straight in the head-to-head series with Grafton, which last prevailed over the Bay Rivers District power in 2010 by a count of 35-31. Ironically enough, that was the final season under Paul Wheeler as Head Coach for Lafayette before Linn took over. The Clippers are putting up just 9.3 points per game, being held to single-digits in each of the past three games since a 46-14 home loss to Grafton. Conversely, the Rams are putting up 49.3 points per contest, fresh off a 47-0 thumping over Smithfield where they piled up 525 total yards of offense. Tailback Brayden Smalls ran wild with 180 yards rushing and 3 TD’s in the shutout.

Matt Hatfield Says – Lafayette 42-8
Coach Ed Young Says – Lafayette 38-6

 

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Lafayette kicks it of into the end zone for a touchback to start the game. Grafton comes out in a Tight Bunch formation from their own 20 and their first two runs with Makale Barnett have mixed results; the first one gaining 5, but the second carry losing a few yards.

Faced with 3rd & 8, Grafton goes to the air and it's a solid completion in the flat area from QB Luke Bryant to WR Ananisas Boyd Jr. The son of Grafton's first-year Head Coach is able to move the sticks with a gain of 10, plus Lafayette is hit with a 15-yard roughing the pass penalty. That puts them up near midfield at their own 47.

A toss to Barnett gains a couple of yards, but then the Lafayette defense comes through with a stuff on the QB Bryant for a loss of 5. That is followed by a delay of game infraction. On 3rd & 18, it's a pass to Barnett in the flat, but Andrew Cook stops him for a loss of 1.

Grafton punts it away and Lafayette's first possession comes at their own 37 with 7:50 left in the opening quarter.

 

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Lafayette's running game is off to a fine start with a gain of 8 by Brayden Smalls, then a sweep with Josh Simpson - who showed some promise towards the end of last year during their playoff run - picking up 7 yards into Grafton territory.

Andy Linn's Rams hand it off to Breon Stokes for a gain of 3, plus a 15-yard personal foul penalty on Grafton puts them at the 30 of the Clippers. Simpson runs for 10 and a face-mask penalty on the play on Grafton puts them at the GHS 10.

 

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No need to be alarmed, Lafayette fans, about Baum Hogge, the sophomore signal caller for the Rams, being out of the starting lineup. Minor injury and he will be fine in the weeks to come to be able to play extensive snaps and throw the football, Head Coach Andy Linn told me before the contest.

Couple of runs by Breon Stokes and Brayden Smalls set them up with 3rd & Goal from the 1, where Talon Leach nudged in for the TD.

Grafton has it at their own 25 with 4:58 to go in the opening frame for their second possession. Obrian Canady and Jamir Nesbeth come through to stop Makale Barnett for a loss of a couple on first down. The toss on 2nd & 12 goes backwards as Andrew Cook from his linebacker spot reads it beautifully.

Before Grafton can snap it on third down, they get hit with a delay of game - their 4th penalty for 35 yards on the night - and that makes it 3rd & 21 from their own 13. A 9-yard pass by Luke Bryant to Jaden Brown is not enough to move the sticks. However, it gives them more breathing room for the punt, which is partially blocked.

Brayden Smalls returns the punt 10 yards to the Grafton 40, where Lafayette will begin its second possession with 2:23 left in the opening period.

 

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A holding penalty along with a personal foul penalty Lafayette back to their own 40 to create 1st & 30, wiping out two really good runs. Joshua Simpson breaks off a 19-yard run to the outside near the far sideline. Breon Stokes rumbles up the middle for 10 yards as the Rams are on the move behind this very sturdy offensive line, which brought back four regulars from their 2023 Class 3 runner-up team. The leader up front seems to be the right tackle, Mason Mills, and this unit is blowing the Grafton defensive line off the ball thus far.

Lafayette will keep the offense out there for 4th & 1 from the 31, which makes total sense. A surprising development -- the Clippers get the stop of Stokes for no gain, thanks to Joshua Lawson and Jerry Riddley.

So Grafton's third series begins at their own 31 with 51 seconds to go in this opening period, only trailing 6-0.

 

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Nice play before the end of the opening period for Grafton as QB Luke Bryant completes a 14-yard pass to Jaden Brown. Bryant is 4 of 4 through the air for 32 yards, displaying good touch and accuracy in the early going.

 

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Grafton gets a couple of 4-yard pass plays to bring up 4th & 2 from the Lafayette 47, but multiple Rams bring the ball carrier down in the backfield for a loss of a couple. Looked like Obrian Canady and Andrew Cook.

The Rams pick up the pace and get a chunk play through the air with QB Talon Leach finding TE/WR Daniel Jackson down the field for a gain of 34 yards to the Grafton 13. Using a variety of rushers - Josh Simpson, Breon Stokes and Brayden Smalls - the Rams get inside the 10, then inside the 5, but are now looking at a 1st & Goal from the 3 rather than a 4th & Goal from the 4 after the measurement moves the sticks.

Grafton's Joey Foley has been in on most of the tackles in the run game. Breon Stokes then stutter-steps his way through for a 3-yard TD. Appears that the Rams will try to go for 2 and further increase their lead.

 

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All is well now in Lafayette Land... a team that has if I remember correctly only about six seniors and more speed than some of their previous title contending outfits, which figures to keep them in the Class 3 Championship hunt.

Grafton begins its fourth offensive possession of the half at their own 35 with 8:21 to go in the second quarter. Quarterback Luke Bryant remains accurate to the tune of 8 of 8 for 46 yards... but that's just it - - he's being held to less than six yards per completion or attempt because Lafayette's defenders rally to the ball so well.

It was nearly 9 of 9 for Bryant, hitting Jaden Brown for what we thought would be a gain of 3 to bring up 4th & 1 from their own 44... but a penalty backs them up 10 yards. Then it's Bryant firing a pass over the middle of the field, where it's Joshua Simpson of Lafayette intercepting him and returning it 31 yards to the Clippers 16.

Lafayette is in business with 6:21 to go in the half, smelling a 20-plus point lead and perhaps a running clock that's in their not too distant future.

 

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Three different rushers have found the end zone for Lafayette - Brayden Smalls, Breon Stokes and Talon Leach.

Look for Joshua Simpson, who has 53 yards on five rushes, to likely get in on the scoring act before this one is done.

Grafton's 19-yard return on the ensuing kickoff has them at their own 24 with 5:57 to go in the second quarter.

 

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Makale Barnett was at minus 2 yards rushing on 5 attempts before bolting through like lightning up the middle and then scooting to the near sideline and having enough juice to beat Lafayette defenders chasing him to the pylon.

Naye'Ron Hudson returns the ensuing kickoff for Lafayette into Grafton territory about 42 yards, finally getting tripped up by the kicker - Caleb Heretick - around the 48 to 49-yard line (my dear pal and longtime Todd Stadium public address announcer Bill Nettles would call it the 48.5 yard line).

Joshua Lawson, who like Barnett had had a positive impact for Grafton in this first half, is helped off the field after the return with an injury. Lafayette will officially have it at the Grafton 49 with 5:36 to go until intermission.

 

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A couple of near misses for big plays in the passing game for Lafayette as QB Talon Leach nearly conected with Tristan Harris for a 49-yard TD. Sandwiched in between the two incomplete passes was a 1-yard run by Brayden Smalls with Joseph Foley for the Grafton defense doing a solid job again.

A time-out is called with 4:28 to go in the first half before the 4th & 9 from the Clippers 48. Lafayette ends up punting it away, their first 3 & out of the night.

Jaden Brown returns the punt about 13 to 14 yards to their own 17 with 4:14 to go in the second period. This is an important series for Grafton on two fronts. If they can keep Lafayette from getting the ball back in the half, that would be a very big positive. Additionally, to stay in this one, scoring points is essential because the Rams start off with possession in the third period.

 

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Penalties on each side - a holding on Grafton and personal foul on Lafayette - during a long run from Makale Barnett ends up resulting in the Clippers having it at their own 34. However, the Lafayette defense buckles down with five different players on the night with stops behind the line of scrimmage.

Forced to go to the air on 3rd & 16 from their own 28 after a penalty, Grafton watches a pass get deflected and intercepted by Lafayette's Naye'Ron Hudson It's the second takeaway of the night for the Rams defense.

Now the Lafayette offense can go back to work with favorable field position, at the Grafton 38, with 2:19 till the break.

 

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Yianni Kokolis provided the lead block on Lafayette's latest touchdown run, a 4-yard plunge from Breon Stokes. It's his 2nd TD of the night. It came after runs of +6 by Brayden Smalls, +20 from Stokes and +8 by Joshua Simpson, who got hurt on the play or else it might've been his turn in the rotation to find paydirt.

Nonetheless, Lafayette feels much better about their margin, even with a couple of missed opportuninties earlier in the half, as they now sit in front 28-6 with 49 seconds till the half.

 

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Some numbers to come shortly... stay tuned!

 

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Stats at the Half:

Lafayette 28:
Talon Leach - 1-4 for 34Yds; 1Car. 1Yd. TD
Joshua Simpson - 6Car. 61Yds; 3 Solo Tackles, INT
Brayden Smalls - 8Car. 45Yds. TD
Breon Stokes - 8Car. 47Yds. 2 TD's
Daniel Jackson - 1Rec. 34Yds.
Andrew Cook - 5 Tackles, 2.5 TFL
Obrian Canady - 4 Tackles, 2 TFL
Naye'Ron Hudson - 3 Solo Tackles, INT

Rams - 26 plays for 188 total yards (23 rushes for 154 yards; 1-3 for 34 yards passing); 5 penalties for 60 yards; 0 turnovers


Grafton 6:
Luke Bryant - 12-16 for 73Yds. 0-2 TD/Int. ratio
Makale Barnett - 7Car. 76Yds. TD; 2Rec.
Jaden Brown - 5Rec. 45Yds.
Ananias Boyd - 3Rec. 19Yds; 3 Tackles
Joseph Foley - 6 Tackles (4 Solo)
Joshua Lawson - 4 Tackles

Clippers - 27 plays for 143 total yards (11 rushes for 70 yards; 12-16 for 73 yards passing, 2 intercepts); 8 penalties for 65 yards; 2 turnovers

 

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Grafton's defense made Lafayette work on that series. In particular, William Dickinson made a crucial tackle for loss on third down and then the same happened with Joshua Lawson on 3rd & 4 from the 7 of the Clippers.

To Lafayette's credit, they stayed patient and didn't force anything that resulted in a game-altering turnover.

After a touchback, the Grafton offense is facing the real possibility of a 3 & out as they're looking at 3rd & 9 from their own 21 with 4:30 showing on the third quarter clock. Rams defenders Jamir Nesbeth and Andrew Cook really put a strong lick on Makale Barnett on a screen pass that gained 5 following a 4-yard run through the ground game.

 

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Grafton ends up punting it away and Brayden Smalls' 17-yard return gives the Rams great field position at the 3-yard line of the Clippers with 4:12 to go in the third period.

Another touchdown will have Lafayette in position to potentially get the running clock in effect before we sign off tonight.

 

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This feels like a B- or C+ type of game from Lafayette, which has at times looked extremely good on both sides of the ball, doing so with a backup QB, yet it's far from the A+ showing they had a week ago vs. Smithfield.

Conversely, it's a better showing for Grafton - despite the score - than their underwhelming 35-6 loss to Class 2 Bruton last week.

Ensuing kickoff for Grafton puts them at the Lafayette 46, in part because of the Rams getting hit with their 7th penalty (for 85 yards) moments ago.

 

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Jaden Brown hauls in a screen for Grafton worth a few yards, then an outside zone run with Makale Barnett gains 6 to bring up 3rd & 1, where the Lafayette defense steps up in a big way as Tristan Harris and Jamir Nesbeth combine to drop Barnett back at the LHS 40.

Grafton goes to the air on 4th & 4, where the Rams get called for a pass interference penalty as DB Naye'Ron Hudson was just a tad too aggressive on the play. It gives them a fresh set of downs at the Rams 25.

After a 2-yard run, the Clippers go to the Pistol formation, where the option pitch is totally sniffed out by No. 50 of the Lafayette defense, lineman Anthony Consolo. They then go to the air with Luke Bryant hitting Ananias Boyd Jr. for a 5-yard pass. That will set up 4th & 3 from the LHS 18 to begin the 4th quarter.

 

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My hunch is that Grafton goes to the air here and it wouldn't surprise me if Lafayette brings some pressure with a blitz.

 

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The 4th & 3 pass is incomplete as Andrew Cook (younger brother of former Rams standout LB Peter Cook) gets in there to keep the Clippers from extending the drive.

So Lafayette can salt this one away now, up 37-6 with 11:55 to go and taking over at their own 18.

 

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After striking for a terrific 31-yard pass play over the middle with QB Talon Leach to TE Daniel Jackson, the Rams lose a couple on the ground and then mishandle the snap and the fumble is recovered by Grafton's Colton Sandifer at the Rams 40 with 10:39 to go.

Coach Andy Linn won't like that giveaway as it keeps them from being able to get that running clock into effect. To me, the only thing of relative interest is whether or not Makale Barnett of Grafton gets to 100 yards rushing on the night. He's at 11 rushes for 79 yards by my count.

 

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Lafayette did not have a corner lined up on the near side of the field, and while an assistant in the box was trying to get the attention of the sideline to burn a time-out before the snap, Grafton was able to take advantage with their second touchdown of the night on a defense that came in giving up just 1.5 points per game.

 

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While it has been a flag fest - a combined 20 in this game (11 on Grafton and 9 on Lafayette), the Rams are showing some ability to do damage through the air, with a guy who is their backup QB. Naye'Ron Hudson got a lot of yards after a catch, showing his skills in the open field, and they have seen TE Daniel Jackson be a factor all night, on each side of the ball.

Mr. Smalls finds the end zone again as Tristan Harris springs him free to increase the lead for the Rams.

 

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Lafayette is closing in on yet another 5-0 start, something they're quite familiar with under Andy Linn.

 

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The Rams look as potent as they ever have offensively, and when they insert Baum Hogge back in the lineup at QB, look out.

 

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Hendricks came in for Grafton and showed some miniature Michael Vick flashes with his pass and run skills on that series, albeit against some backups for Lafayette. Perhaps a sign of what's to come in the future for Grafton football though?

 

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This one is almost over...

 

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More to come later... stay tuned!