The LaGrange College Football Team dropped the final road game of the season 36-9 to the Belhaven University Blazers (Nov. 9). This defeat brings the LC record to 5-4 (5-2 USAS) with the Panthers set to host SVU in the last game next Saturday (Nov. 16) at 1 p.m.

First Half
Offense
The Panthers opened today's contest establishing the ground game with freshman Jermaine Kenty leading the charge. Following a pair of tough Kenty runs for a first down, sophomore quarterback Henry Brodnax delivered senior wideout Jasharie Anderson a tight 39-yard pass to give the Panthers a new set of downs in Blazers territory. Back-to-back short gains and a fumbled snap ended the drive here. In the next two possessions, LC came up empty-handed, but were finding some success using the speedy Jasharie Anderson in the passing game. The following Panthers drive was spotlighted by a gritty third down conversion by Goldman Butler VI, but ended prematurely with a LC turnover. At the half, LaGrange trailed 17-0. Henry Brodnax completed six of his 18 (33%) passes for 109 yards and three interceptions. Jasharie Anderson led the receiving core with 82 yards on three catches. Goldman Butler VI ran the ball eight times for a team-high 21 yards (2.6 average).

Defense
Following an 80-yard opening BU drive, the LC defense found themselves deep in their own territory with the Blazers knocking at the door. Despite having three chances to score, the Panthers stuffed every combination of rush BU sent their way. LaGrange held the hosts to a field goal thanks to textbook tackles by linebackers Ched Smith and Desmond Fogle, as well as a touchdown saving play made by defensive back Keyon Stoutemire. At the end of the first quarter, the Panthers trailed 3-0 as Belhaven advanced down the gridiron using their passing game. Out of the break, LC stopped the Blazers from scoring, but were quickly sent back out onto the field after Belhaven blocked a Panthers punt inside the LC 15. The BU rushing attack put the hosts up 10-0 when the Blazers back scored a touchdown on their third try. With seven minutes remaining in the half, the Blazers regained possession in the LC redzone following a Panthers turnover. This led to BU going up 17-0. The Blazers held this lead at the break. Desmond Fogle accounted for a team-high six tackles, followed by Keyon Stoutemire and Ched Smith both with three. Through two quarters, the unit allowed 85 passing yards and just 47 rushing yards.

Second Half
Offense
Big no. 9 Goldman Butler VI took matters into his own hands on the LC opening drive. The senior running back carried the ball six consecutive times for 52 yards, securing the first LaGrange points of the day with a downhill touchdown rush. Following a quick LC series and a time-consuming Blazers possession, the Panthers got the ball back at the start of the fourth quarter. On the first play, BU forced a fumble to quickly end the drive. Despite this tough break, the following LaGrange series was answered with success in the air and on the ground. Butler kick-started the moving of the chains with a brutalizing effort in the run game. Brodnax paired this attack by hitting junior wide receiver Ashton Bryant and freshman tight end Mychal Stillwell with quick passes. LC moved the ball 50 yards but stalled out at the hosts 34. This drive ultimately wrapped up the Panthers day on offense. 

Defense
LaGrange started the second half by sending the Blazers backpedaling. Relentless pressure and great open field tackling forced an early BU three and out. The next Blazers series concluded with a touchdown after a short sideline pass led to a huge gain deep into Panthers territory. Following this score, defensive back Deon King Jr. blocked the ensuing extra point to cut the Blazers lead to 23-9 with under five minutes left in the third. As time expired in the quarter, LC still trailed 23-9, but Belhaven was set up in the Panthers redzone. The LaGrange defense again came up big, holding the hosts to just three points. BU immediately got the ball back inside the LC redzone after a Panthers fumble. Following three unsuccessful attempts to cross the plane, the Blazers squeaked in a touchdown on fourth and goal. BU knocked in one more field goal, going on to win 36-9.

Overall
Offense
Quarterback Henry Brodnax finished today completing 15 of his 33 passes (45%) for 159 yards and three interceptions. Brodnax found six different targets with a pair of passes, but wideout Jasharie Anderson led the way with a three for a team-high 82 yards. Running back Goldman Butler VI carried the ball 23 times for 113 yards (4.9 average) and scored the lone LaGrange touchdown.

Defense
Linebacker Desmond Fogle led the defense with a season-high 12 tackles. The team finished with five tackles for a loss with linebacker Ched Smith and defensive back Deon King Jr. securing a team-high 1.5 each. King also blocked an extra point and returned it for a two-point score. Today's defensive performance stands out as remarkable, given that BU started four drives inside the Panthers redzone.

Next up
The Panthers return home to take on the Knights of Southern Virginia University next Saturday (Nov. 16) in the final game of the season.