LAGRANGE, Ga. – The LaGrange College football team lost 48-0 to visiting nationally 25th-ranked Berry College in non-conference action on Saturday evening at Callaway Stadium in LaGrange, Georgia in the home opener for the Panthers.
THE BASICS
Score: Berry 48, LaGrange 0
Records: Panthers 1-1, 0-0 USA South | Vikings 2-0, 0-0 SAA
HOW IT HAPPENED
- On the opening drive of the game, the Panthers ground their way to the Vikings' 48-yard line before stalling out. A punt by freshman kicker Liam DeLaney (Tallahassee, Fla.) planted Berry on their own 15-yard line. The Vikings' offense, fresh off a 58-point performance at Huntingdon last Saturday, embarked on a 12-play 85-yard drive that was capped off when Berry graduate running back Josh Rogers (Griffin, Ga.) punched it in from five yards out to get the visitors on the board. A trick play saw senior wide receiver Nate Lyons (Smyrna, Ga.) find senior wide receiver Brendan Gray (Calhoun, Ga.) on a pass to complete the two-point conversion and give the Vikings an 8-0 lead.
- The ensuing two drives saw the teams exchange punts as the second quarter got underway. Back in control under center, Berry junior quarterback Andrew Hunter (Huntsville, Ala.) busted out down the sideline for a 67-yard rushing touchdown. LaGrange freshman linebacker Brandon Williams (Blackshear, Ga.) made the tackle on the two-point conversion to keep the Panthers within two scores as the Vikings went up 14-0.
- On Berry's next drive, the LaGrange defense stiffened again. With the Vikings driving on a third-and-one at midfield, LC sophomore defensive lineman Ethan Perkins (Atlanta, Ga.) made an outstanding stop to ultimately force the punt.
- LaGrange's ensuing drive came to an end when Berry senior linebacker Christopher Lewis (Calhoun, Ga.) sacked the Panther QB and forced the fumble, giving the Vikings excellent field position at the LC 25-yard line. Just two plays later Hunter found Rogers on a 24 -yard touchdown pass as the visitors went up 21-0 in the final minutes of the half.
- After a pass was picked off by Berry junior defensive back Gian Traverzo (Waverly Hall, Ga.) to end another LaGrange drive, the Vikings took over again at their own 40. It took the visitors just four plays to score their fourth touchdown of the game, a five-yard rush by Hunter as they closed out the half with a 28-0 lead.
- On the first play from scrimmage of the second half, it was again Hunter finding Rogers, this time on a 49-yard reception to give Berry a first down at the LaGrange 26-yard line. Six plays later, Rogers rushed up the middle from two yards out for his third touchdown of the night. Williams would again come up strong for the Panthers, blocking the extra point as the Vikings took a 34-0 lead.
- Later in the quarter, Berry senior defensive back Jack Murray (Johns Creek, Ga.) had a pick-six as the Vikes went ahead 41-0. The Panthers never threatened again.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Hunter was the model of efficiency for the Vikings, going 14 for 18 in the air for 215 passing yards and 101 rushing yards with two scores while Rogers finished with 62 yards receiving and 57 yards rushing for a combined 119 yards and three touchdowns.
- Brodnax passed for 128 yards to lead the Panthers.
- LaGrange junior defensive back Keyon Stoutemire (Pensacola, Fla.) and senior defensive back and team captain Deon King Jr. (Vienna, Ga.) each finished with eight tackles on the evening.
- LaGrange sophomore tight end Mychal Stillwell (Warner Robins, Ga.) finished with four receptions for 49 yards while freshman wide receiver Dami'on Thompson (Atlanta, Ga.), last week's USA South Offensive Rookie of the Week honoree after his thrilling debut at Point University, had two catches for 41 yards.
- Berry senior linebacker Carver Cole (Highland, Utah) posted four tackles for the Vikings.
- Berry senior running back Colby Sikes (Dacula, Ga.) totaled 121 all-purpose yards and one touchdown.
UP NEXT
- LaGrange is back on the field next Saturday when they play host to Centre College in a 1:00 p.m. matchup.
- Berry plays their next game at Carnegie Mellon University on Saturday at 12:00 p.m.
For continuing coverage of LaGrange College Athletics, visit lagrangepanthers.com and follow the Panthers on Instagram ( @lagrange_panthers ), Twitter ( @lcpanthers ) and Facebook ( LaGrange Panthers ).
