LAGRANGE, Ga. – Led by an incredible defensive effort and three touchdowns from freshman quarterback
Kirk Scott (Richmond Hill, Ga.), the LaGrange College football team overcame injuries and penalties to win 30-14 over visiting Huntingdon College in a critical USA South Athletic Conference matchup on Saturday at Callaway Stadium in LaGrange, Georgia. With the win, the Panthers run their overall record to 6-1 with a 4-0 mark in conference play to remain tied with Belhaven University atop the USA South standings with just three games left.
DRIVE-BY-DRIVE
- A costly fumble by the Panthers on the opening kickoff return gave the Hawks of Huntingdon prime field position at the LaGrange 49. The visitors wasted little time getting on the board as they went on a eight-play drive, scoring on a touchdown pass from Huntingdon sophomore quarterback Jake White (Gardendale, Ala.) to senior wide receiver Connor Cash (Mentone, Ala.) from six yards out to take a 7-0 lead with 10:18 to go in the first quarter.
- On the ensuing drive, the Panthers turned to the ground game with LaGrange junior running back Michael Hays (Jacksonville, Fla.), coming off a breakout performance last week against Brevard, and Scott running the option. Facing a fourth and eight from the Huntingdon 31-yard line, the hosts went for it with Scott running to the outside and then coming around down the sideline as he was pursued by the Hawk defense. Scott was stopped just short of the first-down marker, giving the ball back to Huntingdon.
- With White back under center, the Hawks reached the Panther 43 before the LaGrange defense stiffened, with sophomore linebacker Ched Smith (Macon, Ga.) making the pass breakup on third down. The visitors were forced to punt.
- Facing their second drive of the game, the Panthers were able to pickup one first down behind Hays' rushing before the offense again stalled as Huntingdon junior linebacker Cameron Cooper (Gulf Shores, Ala.) making the sack on third down, forcing the punt as the second .
- The Hawks' next drive saw the Panthers take over as the visitors went three and out, with LaGrange senior defensive back Deon King Jr. (Vienna, Ga.) sacking the quarterback on third down to get the ball back for LC.
- On the ensuing punt attempt, it was Huntingdon making the miscue on special teams, as a high snap gave the Panthers a golden opportunity at the one-yard line. Two plays later Scott would punch it in, tying the game up at 7-7 with 12:09 to go in the first half.
- The Hawks were driving down the field, setting up a first-and-ten at the Panther 10-yard line. As they have all season, the LaGrange defense made the big play when it was most needed, as senior cornerback Legend Doggett (McDonough, Ga.) made a thrilling interception in the endzone to give the black-and-red the ball back with 5:30 remaining in the second quarter.
- With the Panthers driving again, they would reach the Hawks 33 before sending in LaGrange senior kicker Landon Eaker (Ringgold, Ga.), who came into the day rated as one of the best kickers in the region, for a 50-yard field goal attempt. The kick was just short of the crossbar as the game remained tied.
- The Hawks' ensuing drive was marked by a series of penalties on both teams, ultimately ending on missed field goal with 1:18 left in the half. The Panthers reached their own 45 before being force to punt, giving the ball back to Huntingdon with 45 seconds to go. The clock would run out and the teams went into halftime still knotted at seven points apiece.
- On the first drive of the third quarter, the Hawks were able to take advantage of an injury as Huntingdon sophomore quarterback Knox Roberts (Hendersonville, Tenn.) hit sophomore wide receiver Terrell Copeland (Tallahassee, Fla.) for a 39-yard touchdown completion, giving the visitors a 14-7 lead.
- Trailing once again, the Panthers got a lift when LaGrange freshman kick returner Aaron Bryant (Homerville, Ga.) returned the ensuing kickoff 54 yards to the Huntingdon 46. LC went back to the ground game, as Hays and Scott battled their way to the 37. Facing a fourth and one, Scott evaded the Hawk defense and exploded down the field for a 37-yard touchdown, tying the game up at 14-14.
- With Huntingdon driving again, the LC defense again made the big play when LaGrange sophomore defensive back Brandon Brooks (Davenport, Fla.) intercepted the pass by Roberts and returned it 39 yards for a pick six as the Panthers took their first lead of the day, up 21-14.
- The Hawks reached the Panther 44 before stalling out, with Smith picking up the hurry on third down to force the punt.
- After LaGrange punted it back, Huntingdon reached the LC 30 before the Panthers' front seven again exerted their will, sacking White on three consecutive plays to force the punt as the third quarter came to an end.
- Backed up at their own seven, LaGrange faced a second and six at their own 43 when junior quarterback Henry Brodnax (Newnan, Ga.) completed his longest pass of the day on a 32-yard pass to Bryant to set up a first down at the Huntingdon 25. That would help setup a 30-yard kick from Eaker as the Panthers increased their lead to 24-14 with 8:38 remaining in the game.
- A penalty on the ensuing kickoff backed the Hawks up at their own 13, a sack by King caused a fumble that was recovered by sophomore linebacker Wyatt Tant (Hilton Head Island, S.C.), giving the Panthers a first-and-goal at the Huntingdon seven. Just three plays later, Scott would punch it in from four yards out as LaGrange took a 30-14 lead after a botched point after attempt.
- With 3:46 left in the game, Doggett picked up his second interception of the day as the Panthers took over. The Hawks would never challenge again.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- The LaGrange defense collectively held Huntingdon to seven rushing yards and a .21 yards per rush average while allowing only 201 yards overall. Ten sacks would cost Huntingdon 63 total yards, and the Panthers caused four turnovers.
- Scott, seeing his first major playing time of the season, rushed for 110 yards off 13 carries with three scores, averaging 8.3 yards per carry. Brodnax, in limited playing time, passed for 99 yards on just 16 attempts.
- White passed for 112 yards and a touchdown while Roberts went for 82 yards and a score for the Hawks.
- LaGrange junior running back Tacaris Bozeman (Montgomery, Ala.) rushed for 83 yards off nine carries.
- Huntingdon sophomore running back De'Roderick Hepburn (Tallahassee, Fla.) rushed for 66 yards off ten carries for the Hawks.
- King finished with three-and-a-half sacks on the day for the Panthers defense while LaGrange freshman defensive lineman Zymarion Hudson (Cordele, Ga.) tallied a game-high ten tackles with 2.5 sacks for the Panthers in a breakout performance. Smith finished with eight tackles, two sacks and two pass breakups, making plays all over the field.
- The ten sacks in a single game tied a school record, equaling a performance at Principia on October 25, 2008.
UP NEXT
- LaGrange is back on the field next Saturday when they travel to Greensboro College for a 1:00 p.m. game.
- Huntingdon plays their next game at Brevard College next Saturday with an 11:00 a.m. kickoff.
For continuing coverage of LaGrange College Athletics, visit lagrangepanthers.com and follow the Panthers on Instagram ( @lagrange_panthers ), Twitter ( @lcpanthers ) and Facebook ( LaGrange Panthers ).
