Lafayette boys lock up state tournament berth

The Lafayette Ramblers managed just one goal last Monday night, but that one goal was absolutely golden.

Senior Karson Ledford finally got one past the keeper with six minutes left on the clock and the Ramblers made it stand up for a 1-0 Region 6-AAA win at Murray County.

Not only was it a region victory, but it also assured Lafayette a spot in the Class AAA state tournament next month as one of the top four seeds from the region.

On a damp, wet, rainy night in Chatsworth, Lafayette was outshot 7-1 in the opening half, but found itself in a scoreless deadlock with the Indians at intermission.

The two teams continued to battle in the second half and the Ramblers appeared destined to be headed for overtime for a second straight region contest.

However, in the 74th minute, Daniel Lopez was able to send a ball through the Murray County defense to a streaking Ledford, who was able to knock it home.

Keeper Hayden Rainwater and the Rambler defensive backfield would keep the hosts off the board the rest of the way as Lafayette clinched its first state tournament berth since 2018.

Rainwater finished with 12 saves, while head coach Chase Horne praised the defensive play of Rob Hannah, Austin Deering and Kevin Kremb.

Results of the girls’ match were not available as of press time.

Lafayette boys 9, Rockmart 0

Thursday night in Polk County, the Orange-and-black locked up at least the No. 3 seed for the state tournament by blasting the Jackets to stay unbeaten (6-0) in 6-AAA.

Lopez had a hat trick in the win with Ledford and Haidon Pickard each finding the back of the net twice. Hannah and Alex Holloway both scored once, while multiple Ramblers had assists.

Rainwater picked up his fifth shutout of the season.

Lafayette has two region matches left, starting with a 7 p.m. home contest against North Murray on Tuesday of this week. The Mountaineers are also unbeaten in region play, as is

Coahulla Creek, whom the Ramblers are scheduled to host on April 5 in what could ultimately be a match for the 6-AAA title.

Lafayette girls 3, Rockmart 2

The Lady Ramblers put a check mark in the win column on Thursday night with a victory at Rockmart.

Shelley Warren scored early on to stake the visitors to a 1-0 lead, but the Lady Jackets would answer by finding the net twice before the halftime horn. However, Bianca Rogers got the equalizer for the Lady Ramblers late in the first half to knot the score at 2-2 going into intermission.

Early in the second half, Shelby Madden put Lafayette (2-4 overall, 2-3 region) back in front and the defense would do the rest.

Sparked by the return of senior Savanna Hall, back in the lineup after an injury, the Lady Ramblers would shut Rockmart out the rest of the way to get the win. Head coach Caleb Perry also gave credit to defenders Madison Todd and Alli Peterson for their efforts.