By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

It was an impressive season debut for LaGrange College’s Jamie Sellers and his teammates on the defensive side of the football.

Sellers, a sophomore defensive lineman from Callaway High, helped LaGrange College slow down a Birmingham-Southern offense with an outstanding array of offensive weapons.

Birmingham-Southern scored a touchdown early in the second quarter, but it didn’t score again until there were two minutes left in the game and the outcome had been decided.

Sellers said it was a matter of “just everybody flying to the ball, going to the ball with a purpose. We made a goal we want at least two turnovers every game. So we’re going to keep that goal, and keep going after it so we can win games.”

Jordon Turner, a sophomore defensive back, led LaGrange College with seven tackles, and senior defensive back Joshua Rivers had six tackles.

Sellers and freshman defensive back Cameron Collier each had five tackles, and Randy Fillingame, Bryce Worthy, Roy Pound and Joe Thomas had four tackles apiece.

This is Sellers’ second season at LaGrange College, and he made a major contribution as a freshman.

Sellers appreciated the support he got last season, and continues to receive, from his teammates.

“Being a freshman, being in a college game is nerve-wracking, but you’ve got teammates you can lean on so you can feel better about going out there and playing for each other,” Sellers said. “We play for each other. We take care of each other.”

RUNNING STRONG: Senior running back Brendon Scott had a big night for the Panthers, running for 127 yards on 18 attempts with touchdown runs of nine, 62 and nine yards.

With Scott leading the way, the Panthers were able to put together a number of time-consuming drives, which not only helped the offense, but the defense as well since those players were able to get plenty of rest time on a warm day.

“It’s a relief for our defense,” LaGrange College head coach Earl Chambers said. “In years past, the defense played a lot of snaps. It’s a relief to not be playing as much.”

BIG DEBUT: In his first start, sophomore quarterback Shedrick Lindsey was terrific.

Lindsey completed 13-of-24 passes for 209 yards, and he didn’t have any interceptions.

Lindsey had a 65-yard completion to Jalen Trice that set up a touchdown.

“When he first got here, we knew the kid had talent,” Chambers said. “You see the way the ball comes out of his hands. You see the way he can get himself out of situations. And he hasn’t even touched our whole offense yet.”

Lindsey’s favorite target was Trice, who had four catches for 104 yards, and six other players caught at least one pass.

SPLITTING THE GOAL POSTS: Alex Rivera, a sophomore place kicker, had a perfect night.

Rivera made all three of his field-goal attempts, as well as both extra-point tries.

Rivera’s longest field goal covered 45 yards, and it gave LaGrange College a 19-7 lead heading into the halftime break.

UP NEXT: LaGrange College will visit Berry College on Saturday, with kickoff set for 6 p.m.

Berry College opened its season with a 31-10 road win over Maryville.