Written by: Danny Talbert
LaGrange, Ga.-- This Saturday (Oct. 14), the LaGrange College Panthers take on the Maryville Scots at 1 p.m. The Panthers are 0-6 and are looking to get their first win over a tough Belhaven squad. The Blazers are 4-2 on the season, and 1-2 in-conference. The game is at Maryville but can also be streamed on the Maryville College Athletics page here.
LaGrange College Panthers vs. Maryville College Scots | Stats | Video |
Location: Honaker Field at Lloyd Thornton Stadium | Maryville, Tn.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023
Time: 1 p.m.
The Series
The Panthers are 3-13 against the Scots and most recently lost to them 56-7 (Oct. 8, 2022). The last time LC beat the Scots was Oct. 10, 2012.
Scouting The Panthers
While LC is 0-6 on the season, the team has shown improvement throughout each game. For instance, the Panthers scored 20 points against first place USA South member Belhaven this past weekend (Oct. 14). No other team has scored more than 15 points and most opponents have been held under 10 this year. In the 2023 season, the defense has caused turnover issues for each opponent they faced. In six games, the Panthers have seven interceptions and four forced fumbles. The offense has also shown improvement in moving the ball up and down the field. Junior running back Goldman Butler VI has become the anchor for the Panthers offense. He has shown time and time again his ability to fight for yards gained while breaking through defenders' tackles. Rashod Brockington has remained the starting Panthers QB. Throughout the season, he has improved in his throwing accuracy and pocket presence. At times earlier in the season, he would hold onto the ball for slightly too long, but in the past couple games, he has avoided sacks by making quick decisions. Like Belhaven, Maryville is both solid offensively and defensively and is full of veteran players. If the Panthers want to win, they must play well with all three units.
Scouting The Scots
The Scots offense this year has loved to air the ball out. Sophomore Bryson Rollins is the QB running the Maryville offense. He has 1803 yards thrown on 141 completions with 214 passes. This averages out to an impressive 300 yards per game. He has also thrown 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Senior Corey Russel is the favorite target for Rollins. He has 36 catches in the six games he has played. Junior Nick Dagel is the receiver with the most touchdown catches, with four total. Dagel has caught Rollins passes 23 times this year. Rollins has also shown that he is a QB not afraid to run. On 71 attempts, he has gained 305 yards, but due to sacks, his net-yardage is 184. He has also run for six touchdowns in 2023. Senior Braden Dunson has been the Scots' main running back. On 43 rushes, he has 216 yards and two touchdowns. Their defense has held opponents to an average of 20 points per game. Junior linebacker Devon White leads Maryville in tackles with 41 total. Sophomore Kai Cottinhan leads the Scots defense in interceptions with one pick.
Career watch
Sophomore defensive back Deon King Jr. is a Panther who will undoubtedly have an exciting career at LC. In the five games he has played this year, he had an interception against Southern Virginia and Berry, and he forced fumbles against Huntington and Southern Virginia. Not only did he force two turnovers in the SVU game, he brought the interception down to their one-yard line and scooped then scored his forced fumble. The sophomore from Vienna, Ga. also leads the Panthers defense in tackles for a loss with five. Stats do not show truly how dominant King has played so far. In the game against Belhaven (Oct. 14), King made multiple hard-hitting tackles that took the Blazers ball carrier off their feet, which elicited audible reactions from the crowd. Maybe his best play that day was when he came downhill on a blitz and blew-up the lead blocker and made a tackle for a loss on the running QB. Deon King Jr.'s role as a defensive leader is becoming increasingly evident. Watching the growth of his career as a Panther is set to be exciting.
When and where
Kickoff is at 1 p.m. Oct. 21 at Honaker Field in Lloyd Thornton Stadium in Maryville, Tn. The game can be streamed here.
