BREVARD, N.C. - The Brevard College football team (3-2, 3-1 USA South) dropped its first conference game of the 2024 season, falling 26-21 to LaGrange College (3-3, 3-1 USAS) on Saturday afternoon at Ives-Lemel Family Field.
After a promising start that included a 78-yard touchdown run by Chancellor Lee-Parker on Brevard's first play from scrimmage, the Panthers went on a 13-0 scoring run to close out the first half on a blocked punt safety, a 35-yard field goal, and a 14-yard fumble recovery touchdown.
LaGrange kicked off the third quarter with a five-yard rushing touchdown, while Brevard broke up its scoreless drought with 11 minutes left to play on a two-yard touchdown reception by Adam Douglas from Ethan Beamish. Brevard was able to get the ball back down five with 3:45 left to play, but a strip-sack fumble recovery touchdown by LaGrange pushed the Panther lead back up to double digits, 26-14. Douglas caught his second touchdown pass of the game with just over a minute left to trim the deficit back down to five, but an onside kick recovery by LaGrange wrapped up the win.
BC fell despite a slight 353-298 advantage in yards on offense, with the Panthers dominating the turnover battle 5-1 as LaGrange forced two interceptions and three fumbles by the Tornados. Brevard's third down efficiency also hampered the Tornados, as BC went 4-for-12 on third down conversions.
BC signal caller Ethan Beamish went 21-for-34 through the air with 228 yards and two passing touchdowns, but threw two interceptions and fumbled twice. Lee-Parker logged 106 rushing yards on just seven carries including his lengthy touchdown dash. Cooper Hogan caught three passes for 71 yards, while Douglas hauled in a career-high nine receptions for 71 yards and his pair of scores.
Baylee Ramey led all tacklers with 10 stops and a tackle-for-loss. Brooks Ashford added nine tackles and Ernest Smith II collected seven stuffs. James Woods picked off his third pass of the season as well.
Goldman Butler VI was a workhorse for the Panthers on Saturday, toting the rock 31 times for 118 yards. Mychel Stillwell hauled down six catches for 85 yards to round out LaGrange's offensive effort.
The Tornados are back in action next weekend at 2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT in Montgomery, Alabama against Huntingdon College.
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-BC-
