Written by: Danny Talbert
LaGrange, Ga, –This Saturday (Sept. 23), the Panthers begin USA South conference play, at 1 p.m., in Callaway Stadium. The theme is red-out, so wear your red Panther gear to the game! The LaGrange College Panthers are 0-2 and are looking to get their first win over a very tough Huntingdon squad. Huntingdon travels to LaGrange 2-1 on the season, and are also opening up in-conference play this weekend. The game can be streamed on the LaGrange College Athletics page or on our Hudl tv here.
LaGrange College Panthers vs. Huntingdon Hawks | Stats | Video |
Location: Callaway Stadium | LaGrange, Ga.
Date: Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023
Time: 1 p.m.
The Series
The Hawks led the football series 11-3 since the first Panthers season in 2006. The Panthers longest win streak is two with victories in the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
Scouting The Panthers
Currently, the Panthers are 0-2 in 2023. In their last game at Ferrum, the team took a huge leap forward from the season opener both offensively and defensively. The defense held Ferrum's QB Jaxson Hughes to only 75 yards and zero touchdowns. The week before (Sept 9), Hughes showed his quarterbacking ability by throwing for 189 yards and three touchdowns against N.C. Wesleyan. The Panthers were also able to make plays in the backfield, accounting for one sack and nine tackles for a loss in the matchup. Quarterback Rashod Brockington also looked much-improved in the game. He found a handful of targets to throw for 183 yards with 17 passes on 29 attempts. He also showed great poise and decision-making ability in the final drive of the game. With only one minute left and facing a second and 14 after a holding call, he noticed that Ferrum's defense was not spying him and took his opportunity to show off his speed by running for the first down himself. The improvement from week one to week two was encouraging, and it should be fun to see where the Panthers can go from here.
Scouting The Hawks
The Hawks are 2-1 on the season. Huntingdon so far this year has been a run-heavy team. Senior Kahari McReynolds and junior Troy Garner have split the touches 50/50 with 46 runs each. McReynolds leads in yards with 258 for 5.6 per carry, while Garner has run for 193 yards, averaging 4.2 yards per rush. Garner leads the team in touchdowns with four, but the offensive play-caller has had McReynolds throw twice this season, one of which resulted in a touchdown. Senior Carson Daniel is quarterbacking for the Hawks this year. Daniel has 40 completions on 74 attempts with two touchdowns and one interception. Running back McReynolds coming out of the backfield has been one of Daniel's top receivers this year with seven receptions for 38 yards. His top-two targets this season are senior Tyler England and sophomore Timothy McReynolds, with both having eight catches apiece. England has 112 yards and a touchdown, while McReynolds accounted for 81 yards. On the defensive side of the ball, senior linebacker Casey Peppers leads the hawks with total tackles (19), sacks (1.5) and tackles for a loss (4). The Hawks have consistently been a well-oiled machine. In the last seven seasons, they have won the USA South Conference six times.
Flying around and making plays
Junior linebacker Yavari Scott was the top Panther last week in the game against Ferrum (Sept. 16). He led the team in tackles (13), tackles for a loss (3) and sacks (1). At the end of the first half, Scott made two big plays which forced Ferrum to kick a field goal. On second down, Scott made a great open field tackle on the QB as he scrambled out of the pocket. The following play he made a perfect form tackle on a Ferrum's WR running an underneath route to force the field goal. Watch out for No. 42 to continue to make big plays this week against the powerful Hawks offense.
Career watch
In his second career game as a Panther, freshman linebacker Demon Jones balled-out against Ferrum last week (Sept. 16). The Theodore, Ala. native had the second most tackles (8) and tackles for a loss (2) in the game. It will be exciting to see how this young Panther develops on the football field.
Team Captains
Defensive Captains-
No. 1 Jasharie Anderson, a junior defensive back from Union City, Ga.
No. 8 Lakevin Debruce, a junior linebacker from Birmingham, Ala.
Offensive Captains-
No.1 Devonte Scott, a junior wide receiver from Mobile, Ala.
No. 5 Rashod Brockington, a junior quarterback from Lakeland, Ga.
No. 8 Keith Kpodar, a senior tight end from Atlanta, Ga.
No. 24 Aubrey Carter, a junior running back from Newnan, Ga.
All six of these guys have earned the right to lead the 2023 LaGrange College Panther football team.
When and where
Kickoff is at 1 p.m. in Callaway Stadium against Huntingdon. Wear your red Panther gear and stick around for the men's soccer game at Panther Field at 4 p.m.
