LAGRANGE, Ga. – The Panthers of the LaGrange College football team (7-1, 5-0 USA South), enjoying their best season since 2008, will be hosting Belhaven University (6-2, 5-0 USA South) in USA South athletic conference action on Saturday at Callaway Stadium in LaGrange, Georgia.

Both teams are tied at 5-0 atop the USA South standings, two games ahead of Southern Virginia University and Huntingdon College. With just two conference games remaining, the winner of Saturday's game will guarantee themselves the league's NCAA Tournament berth as well as at least a share of the USA South Championship.

It represents a major turnaround for Head Coach Wes Dodson's Panthers, who went 0-9 just two seasons ago and who were picked to finish fourth in the USA South Coaches Preseason Poll in August. LaGrange is currently ranked eighth in the NCAA Division III Region 3 rankings, their first appearance on the list in several years.

The Panthers are led by a blistering defense that currently ranked first in the conference in total defense, sacks, interceptions, tackles for a loss, passing defense, rushing defense and red-zone defense. LaGrange ranks first nationally in sacks per game in NCAA Division III.

Sophomore linebacker Ched Smith (Macon, Ga.), last season's USA South Defensive Rookie of the Year, leads LaGrange, going into Saturday's game with a team-high 51 tackles to go along with 9.5 tackles for a loss, six sacks, three pass breakups and three quarterback hurries.

Senior defensive back Deon King Jr. (Vienna, Ga.) has been a force this season with a team-high 6.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for a loss to go along with five breakups, four hurries with a forced fumble. King was named the conference Defensive Player of the Week two weeks ago after a dominant performance against Huntingdon.           

Freshman defensive lineman Zymarion Hudson (Cordele, Ga.) has been a standout rookie for the Panthers, totaling 32 tackles, 9.0 tackles for a loss, four sacks and three hurries.     

Senior cornerback Legend Doggett (McDonough, Ga.) leads the secondary with two interceptions, six pass breakups and 26 tackles.

Freshman cornerback Donell Williams (Bessemer, Ala.) was named the USA South Defensive Rookie of the Week after returning a 71-yard pick six last week against Greensboro.

Junior quarterback Henry Brodnax (Newnan, Ga.) leads the offense, passing for 1665 yards and 11 touchdowns over eight games.

Junior running back Michael Hays (Jacksonville, Fla.) leads a rushing attack that ranks second in the USA South, as he's rushed for 524 yards and four touchdowns with a 4.6 yards per rush average. Junior running back Tacaris Bozeman (Montgomery, Ala.) joins Hays, having rushed for 344 yards and four touchdowns with 5.0 yards per rush.           

Senior wide receiver Ashton Bryant (Athens, Ga.) has stepped up this season with 25 catches for 405 yards and two touchdowns. Junior running back Kolby Crawford (Douglasville Ga.) has posted 24 catches for 301 yards and two scores while sophomore tight end Mychal Stillwell (Warner Robins, Ga.) added 21 receptions for 235 yards and three TD's.

Senior kicker Landon Eaker (Ringgold, Ga.) ranks as the conference's top kicker, leading the USA South in field goal percentage and field goals made per game.          

Opposing the Panthers will be Belhaven senior quarterback Brock Morris (Jackson, Miss.), who leads the conference with 1803 passing yards with 17 touchdowns. Morris has claimed the last two USA South Offensive Player of the Week awards.

Senior running back Caleb Gallashaw (Leesville, La.) leads the Blazers rushing attack with 398 yards and four touchdowns with a 4.0 yards per carry average. Sophomore wide receiver TJ Hatch (Moundville, Ala.) has 27 receptions for 459 yards and five touchdowns.

Belhaven senior linebacker Wyatt Beck (Baton Rouge, La.) leads the Blazers' defense with 71 tackles with seven of those coming for a loss.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at Callaway Stadium, with free admission to LaGrange students and fans.

For continuing coverage of LaGrange College Athletics, visit lagrangepanthers.com and follow the Panthers on Instagram ( @lagrange_panthers ), Twitter ( @lcpanthers ) and Facebook ( LaGrange Panthers ).