Box Score VALLEY, Ala. – The LaGrange College football team opened their 2025 season with a convincing 36-14 win at Point University in non-conference action on Saturday at Ram Stadium in Valley, Alabama. It was the first-ever matchup between the regional rivals in a game dubbed the Clash of Highway 29. It was also LC's first season opening win since a 29-14 victory against visiting Birmingham Southern on September 7^th, 2019.

THE BASICS
Score:                    LaGrange 36, Point 14
Records:               Panthers 1-0, 0-0 USA South | Skyhawks 0-2, 0-0 AAC

BIG HITS

• The Panthers wasted no time getting on the board as on their very first play from scrimmage, LaGrange freshman quarterback Aaron Bryant (Homerville, Ga.) found freshman wide receiver Dami'on Thompson (Atlanta, Ga.) for a 77-yard touchdown completion, giving LC a 6-0 lead after a failed two-point conversion. The Skyhawks answered on the very next play, returning a 90-yard kick return for a touchdown to take a 7-6 lead just 38 seconds into the game.
• Later in the first quarter, it would again be the Panthers demonstrating the superb talent of this year's team when LaGrange junior quarterback Henry Brodnax (Newnan, Ga.), last season's breakout start, stepped up on a third-and-twelve and found a wide open junior running back Kolby Crawford (Douglasville Ga.) who evaded two tacklers and found nothing but open field in front of him for a 79 yard touchdown. Just like that LC took a 13-7 lead.
• In the closing minutes of the first, Brodnax would again make a big play, hitting LaGrange sophomore tight end Mychal Stillwell (Warner Robins, Ga.) for a 24-yard gain, taking the Panthers into Skyhawk territory. After drawing a pass interference penalty, LaGrange appeared set for another touchdown with a first down from the PU 17. This time, however, the Skyhawk defense stiffened, forcing LC to settle for a 33-yard field goal by senior kicker Landon Eaker (Ringgold, Ga.) to increase their lead to 16-7.             
• During Point's final drive of the opening quarter, LaGrange junior cornerback Jaden Sanders (Springfield, Ga.) picked off Point's David Hines on a deep pass at the Panther 42. Brodnax and the offense took over again to open the second quarter, and it took him only four plays to again find Stillwell, this time for a 24-yard touchdown to go up 23-7.
• On the very next possession, the Panthers picked up their second interception of the night, this time from junior defensive end Matthew Moore (Effingham, Ga.) at the LaGrange 26.
• Later in the second quarter, Brodnax engineered a nine-play 48-yard drive, resulting in a 37-yard field goal from Eaker to extend the lead to 26-7.
• The Point offense finally broke through on their next possession as they went on a 12-play run capped off by Hines punching it through from their one. The lead was cut to twelve at 26-14.
• On the final play of the first half, Eaker made his third field goal of the day to put the Panthers ahead 29-14 as the teams withdrew into the locker rooms.
• The Skyhawks opened up the third quarter rushing three straight times, only to run into the wall of the Panther defense, forcing a three-and-out. The second half remained scoreless until late in the third when the Panthers faced a third-and-16 from their own 35. Brodnax answered the call, finding senior wide receiver Ashton Bryant (Athens, Ga.) – a 2024 USA South All-Conference honoree – for a 65 yard touchdown completion, extending the lead to 22 at 36-14.
• On the ensuing possession, Point was facing third and five when LaGrange freshman linebacker Brandon Williams (Blackshear, Ga.) burst through the line and picked up his first career sack on Hines, ending the threat. The Skyhawks never threatened again.  

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Brodnax finished with 265 yards in the air with three touchdowns and two interceptions on the night.
• Junior running back Michael Hays (Jacksonville, Fla.) led the ground game for the Panthers, rushing 16 times for 57 yards. He would add a 38-yard kickoff return and three catches for 26 yards.
• Thompson led a balanced receiving corps for LaGrange, hauling in four catches for 134 yards and one score. Bryant added five catches for 99 yards.
• The Panther defense dominated for much of the night, allowing just one offensive touchdown, holding the Skyhawks to a 1.1 average yards per rush and totaling six sacks.   
• LaGrange senior defensive back Deon King Jr. (Vienna, Ga.), another USA South All-Conference honoree for the Panthers last season, finished with 1.5 sacks totaling 13 yards.   
• LaGrange freshman defensive end Anthony Lovett (Atlanta, Ga.) had a strong showing in his first ever collegiate game, tallying two tackles with two of those for a loss, including a seven-yard sack.
• Eaker was perfect, going three-for-three on field goals and two-for-two on extra points.

UP NEXT

• LaGrange is back on the field on Saturday when they play their first home game of the season at Callaway Stadium as they host Berry College in a 7:30 p.m. game.
• Point plays their next game at Newberry College next Saturday in a 7:00 p.m. game.

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