Written by: Danny Talbert
LaGrange, Ga.-- This Saturday (Nov. 4), the LaGrange College Panthers travel to face the Methodist Monarchs at 1 p.m. The LaGrange College Panthers are 0-8 and are looking to get their first win over a solid Monarchs squad. The Monarchs are 1-7 on the season and 1-4 in-conference. The game is in Monarchs Stadium but can also be streamed here.
LaGrange College Panthers vs. Methodist Monarchs | Stats | Video |
Location: Monarchs Stadium | Fayetteville, N.C.
Date: Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023
Time: 1 p.m.
The series
The Panthers are 2-8 to the Methodist Monarchs. In the last matchup, the Monarchs won 38-28 (Sept. 24, 2022).
Scouting the Panthers
Junior QB Rashod Brockington is still the man steering the ship for the Panthers offense. In the last game, he threw the ball 23 times for 118 yards on 10 completions (Oct. 28). He made some great plays, including a incredible 15-yard touchdown pass to Devonte Scott and had zero interceptions. Brockington also showed great pocket presence when the Tornados brought pressure. Brevard had zero sacks due to good offensive line play and Brockington scrambling seven times for 26 yards. Goldman Butler VI rushed for a career-high 109 yards and two touchdowns on 18 attempts. Aubrey Carter ran for 24 yards on six carries and showed how elusive his blistering speed can be. The defense had six tackles for a loss, one sack, three QB hurries, an interception and a forced fumble that was scooped up by the Tornados (Oct. 28). Junior linebacker Yavari Scott is coming off of a career game against the Tornados. He led the team in tackles (10), tackles for a loss (2.5) and sacks (1). The defense has had 15 turnovers and multiple forced fumbles that either went out of bounds or was jumped on by the Panther opponents in the eight games played. Watch for the LC defense to add to turnover total in this week's game against the Monarchs.
Scouting the Monarchs
Brandon Bullins has been the primary Monarchs QB this season. In eight games, he has thrown the ball an incredible 336 times for 1776 yards on 195 completions. This averages out to 222 yards per game this year for the senior QB. He also has accounted for 11 interceptions and 11 touchdowns. Looking at the game logs and stats, this offense loves to throw the ball from gun formation and Bullins is not afraid to take chances. He has three main wide receivers he likes to throw to. Senior Keyshaun Pete has caught a team-high 385 yards on 46 receptions and one touchdown. Wade Thomas III has caught 41 passes and accounted for 364 yards and a team-high four touchdowns. Mikhail Baldwin is the third target that Bullins likes to hit. The junior has two touchdowns and 250 yards on 34 catches. Senior Pete Keyshaun is the main Monarchs running back. In eight games, he has rushed for five touchdowns and 546 yards on 144 attempts. Like Brevard, their defense is full of upperclassmen. Senior defensive end Alex Boyd leads their team in tackles with 49 total. He also has five tackles for a loss and half a sack. Craig Morton leads the team in interceptions with one. The Monarchs defense allows opponents to score 41 points per game and their offense scores an average of 16 points. While their record is just 1-7, they have played some great competition out of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. To get a victory, the Panthers will need to win the turnover battle, limit special team mistakes and take advantage of anything the Monarchs give them.
Back to your regularly scheduled program
In the game against Brevard (Oct. 28), the Panthers rushed for a season-high 190 yards on 38 attempts, which averages out to five yards per rush. Junior running back Goldman Butler VI ran for 109 yards of those yards and a pair of touchdowns. On an eight-play drive in the second quarter, Goldman ran the ball six times and capped it off with a four-yard touchdown. On this drive, the Corinth, Ms. native looked unstoppable. After seeing him only rush for 16 yards on 16 attempts against Maryville (Oct. 21), it was great to see Goldman run for 6.1 yards per carry. Watch for no. 9 to have another big performance in the final game of the season at Methodist (Nov. 4).
When and where
Kickoff is at 1 p.m. on Saturday (Nov. 4) in Monarch Stadium. To stream the game, click here.
