LAGRANGE, Ga. – After taking their first loss of the season last weekend, the LaGrange College football team had a bounce-back day with a resounding 20-6 win over visiting Centre College in non-conference action on Saturday at Callaway Stadium in LaGrange, Georgia.
THE BASICS
Score: Centre 6, LaGrange 20
Records: Panthers 2-1, 0-0 USA South | Colonels 1-2, 0-0 SAA
MOMENTUM SWINGS
- The Colonels intercepted LaGrange junior quarterback Henry Brodnax (Newnan, Ga.) on the opening drive of the game, with Centre junior defensive back Ollie Carter (Jasper, Tenn.) picking off the pass and returning it to the LC 25 yard line. The Colonels had a first and goal at the nine when the Panther defense locked them up with LaGrange sophomore defensive back Aidan Johnson (Winder, Ga.) making the clutch pass breakup on third down at the four-yard line. The visitors had to settle for a field goal for a 3-0 lead with 7:51 to go in the first quarter.
- On the ensuing drive, Brodnax used a series of short passes and a 12-yard scramble to reach the Centre 16 before LaGrange senior kicker Landon Eaker (Ringgold, Ga.) kicked a 31-yard field goal to tie the game up.
- With the Colonels back in control in the closing moments of the first quarter, LaGrange junior linebacker Dezmond Jones (Thomasville, Ga.) made a huge tackle on second down to setup a third and 12. On the very first play of the second quarter, Johnson picked off Centre senior quarterback Jack Gohmann (Lexington, Ky.) to give the Panthers the ball back near midfield.
- Three plays saw LC advance to the Centre 30 before another field goal by Eaker put the Panthers ahead 6-3.
- On the ensuing drive, the LC defense again asserted their collective will on the game as LaGrange sophomore linebacker Ched Smith (Macon, Ga.) dropped Gohmann for a nine-yard sack on third down to force the punt.
- With possession back in the Panthers' hands, it was the turn of the Colonels defense to make some plays as LaGrange was stopped at the visitors' 37 despite a gutsy pass attempt on fourth down.
- The Centre offense was once again held to a three-and-out with LaGrange sophomore defensive back Brandon Brooks (Davenport, Fla.) making the tackle on third down for a loss of two.
- Starting at their own ten yard line after a penalty, the Panther offense started clicking again as Brodnax heated up, finding LaGrange freshman wide receiver Dami'on Thompson (Atlanta, Ga.) for a 25-yard completion. Three plays later Brodnax would hit LaGrange senior wide receiver Ashton Bryant (Athens, Ga.) for a 34-yard gain to setup a first and goal. Three plays later, LaGrange junior running back Tacaris Bozeman (Montgomery, Ala.) punched it in from two for the game's first touchdown, putting LC ahead 13-3 with 1:42 remaining in the first half.
- The Colonels started cooking in the closing seconds of the second quarter as Gohmann completed nine straight passes to reach the Panther six-yard line. As they had for the entire half, the LaGrange defense answered the challenge, with LC senior defensive back Deon King Jr. (Vienna, Ga.) making the huge pass breakup on third down. They would settle for a field goal from Centre senior kicker Jack Kennedy (Taylorsville, Ky.) to take a 13-6 lead as the teams entered halftime.
- The Panther defense remained in control as the third quarter got underway, as the Colonels went three-and-out with Jones making the pass breakup on third down.
- On LaGrange's first play from scrimmage of the half, Brodnax hit Thompson and the rookie found nothing but open field in front of him as he cut loose for an 88-yard touchdown to put the Panthers up 20-6.
- Centre's luck did not improve on their next drive. Gohmann was picked off on first down by Brooks, giving the Panthers possession and momentum.
- After LaGrange went three-and-out, Gohmann and Center got another chance at it as they drove into LC territory before penalties and missed passes forced them to punt for the fourth time on the day.
- After another Panther punt, the LaGrange defense forced another three-and-out with Jones sacking Gohmann on third down.
- As the fourth quarter got underway, the Panthers went to their rushing game to start working the clock before going back to the air on third down as Brodnax found Bryant for a 29-yard reception to the Centre 24. After the LaGrange drive petered out, Eaker's field goal attempt was blocked to give the ball back to the visitors.
- Later in the fourth, the Colonels drove deep into Panther territory before the LC defense got to Gohmann again as Jones sacked the QB for a loss of twelve. Still down by two scores, Centre was forced to go for it on fourth down. Once again the Panthers made the clutch play as Johnson picked off the pass in the endzone, beating the Colonel receiver for possession to get the ball back for his second interception of the day.
- On their final drive of the game, Centre was picked off by LaGrange junior defensive end Matthew Moore (Effingham, Ga.). Although Moore's pick-six touchdown return was negated due to a penalty, the Panthers were able to take the knee to secure their second win of the season.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Brodnax finished with 293 passing yards for the Panthers, completing 20-of-33 passes with one score.
- Gohmann threw for 185 yards for the Colonels, going 26-of-43.
- Thompson totaled four catches for 132 yards and one score, solidifying his reputation as one of the most explosive rookie receivers in the region.
- LaGrange junior running back Michael Hays (Jacksonville, Fla.) rushed for 54 yards to lead the Panthers, while Bozeman added 43.
- Centre senior wide receiver Dant Bowling (Lexington, Ky.) had five catches for 83 yards.
- Eaker had made his first five field goal attempts on the season while going perfect on his extra points before his field goal was blocked in the early fourth quarter. He finished the day with a team-high eight points for the Panthers.
- Bryant finished with four catches for 79 yards.
- Centre senior linebacker Will Zabel (Louisville, Ky.) led the Colonel defense with five tackles.
UP NEXT
- LaGrange will be off next weekend, but they will be back on the field on Saturday, October 4th when they play host to North Carolina Wesleyan University in their USA South Conference opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
- Centre plays their next game at home against Millsaps, that also coming on October 4th with a 1:00 p.m. start time.
For continuing coverage of LaGrange College Athletics, visit lagrangepanthers.com and follow the Panthers on Instagram ( @lagrange_panthers ), Twitter ( @lcpanthers ) and Facebook ( LaGrange Panthers ).
