DANVILLE, Va. - Averett took a big first quarter lead and held on for a 31-22 USA South win over LaGrange on Saturday. The loss left the Panthers 2-7 overall and 2-5 in conference play.

"I'm very proud of this team! Every Saturday our guys continue to fight to the very end," said Coach Earl Chambers. "We didn't play well in the first quarter in all phases of the game. However, we showed some grit today and battled back to give ourselves an opportunity to win.

"On offense, we had some chances late in the fourth, but could not execute to keep the drive going. On defense, we created some big turnovers that allowed us to score points. Overall, we're a young football team that went toe to toe with a team who's graduating 35 seniors."

Sophomore tight end De'queze Fryer continued his outstanding season. Fryer had seven receptions for 94 yards and extended his TD scoring streak to nine games with one in the fourth quarter. Freshmen running backs Aubrey Carter and Christian Waymon combined for 105 yards on 16 carries. Carter averaged 10.4 yards on five carries.

Averett raced to a 24-0 first quarter lead. The Cougars scored on its first three offensive possessions to grab a 17-0 lead. A fourth down penalty on fourth down against the Panthers kept the third drive alive.

The Cougars' defense got in on the scoring on LC's fourth possession. Christian Waymon ripped off a 40-yard run to Averett's 35-yard line. On the next play, James Monroe fumbled, and Nicholas Mintz scooped up the loose ball and went 66 yards for a touchdown with 52 seconds left in the quarter.

LC's defense set up the Panthers' first 10 points. Roderick Kirkland picked off Bryce Jackson's pass and returned it 54 yards to the Averett 28.

Tyler Coleman threw 24 yards to L J Flint down to the 8. After a penalty and an incompletion, Coleman ran it in from 13 yards out to make it a 24-7 game with 9:36 left in the half.

Averett fumbled the ball away on the first play of its next possession with Joe Thomas recovering at the Cougars' 31. The Panthers' offense stalled, and Alex Rivera booted a 29-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 14 points.

The Panthers put together a 13 play, 70-yard scoring drive late in the half. Lindsey's 10-yard run set up LC first and goal. He finished the drive with a 6-yard TD run as the Panthers trailed 24-16 at halftime.

Averett took the second half kickoff and marched 92 yards in just nine plays. Shawn Watlington ran the final 38 yards to up the Cougars' lead to 15, 31-16.

LC got back in the game in the fourth quarter. The Panthers needed only six plays to cover 61 yards. Aubrey Carter had runs of 10 and 28, sandwiched around Fryer's 17-yard reception. Lindsey flipped a short 4-yard pass to Fryer for the touchdown to cut Averett's lead to 31-22 with 6:36 remaining in the game.

The defense came up with its third takeaway of the game on Averett's next possession. Dontre Mike fell on Bryce Phipps' fumble at the Cougars 32-yard line. But Averett's defense stiffened, forcing the Panthers to turn the ball over on downs.

The Panthers close out the 2021 season against Huntingdon for Senior Day next Saturday at Callaway Stadium. Kickoff is 1 p.m.

For continuing coverage of Panther athletics, stay up to date with our website and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.