MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - For the second straight year, LaGrange and Berry battled in another overtime thriller. The host Vikings took a hard fought 16-13 win over the Panthers in Valhalla Stadium on Saturday.

The Panther defense shined in the loss. The Panthers (0-2) forced three turnovers in holding Berry to just one touchdown. In the first two games, the defense has surrendered only four touchdowns.

Demetrius Rodgers had 10 tackles in the game. Nick Raszeja had eight tackles, including a quarterback sack.  Jordan Daniels and Brandon Penn each had an interception. Shamar Slappy recovered a fumble.

"The defense really played well and I really like what we are doing on that side of the ball," Coach Matt Mumme said.

The Panthers came within a yard of winning the game in regulation. Lavell Meeks made a circus catch of a Connor Blair pass for a 45-yard gain to the Vikings' 5-yard line with a minute remaining.

Two plays pushed the ball to the 1 and Nick Searcy appeared to get into the end zone on third down but the officials marked the ball short. Blair was stopped inches short on fourth down as the Vikings forced overtime.

The Panthers got the ball first in the overtime period. Alec Frear's 35-yard field goal attempt was wide as Berry took over. The Vikings' Mitchell Blanchard kicked his third field goal of the game from 38 yards out for the game-winner.

Blair finished the game 36-of-49 for 325 yards. He had touchdown passes of 23-yards to Ervens Oge and 7-yards to Untorrey Thomas.

Oge had eight catches for 83 yards in the game. He became the school's career leader in receiving yards with 1,530 yards. Oge needs five more receptions to be the career leader.

"Offensively, we need to take care of the ball better. We are making some great plays and then missing on a few," said Mumme. "We are young on the offensive side, and just need more consistency."

The Panthers host Ave Maria (Fla.) next Saturday at 6 p.m.