August 23, 2006
Methodist Football Preview
Coach Sypult looks to finish what he started in 2005

FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  Coach Jim Sypult was happy with a share of the conference championship last season, but not satisfied. “My dream is to be among the elite in NCAA Division III football to win it all from the conference championship, to playoffs, to the national championship,” he said. When Sypult first came to Methodist in 1992, the Monarchs had one 2-28 in three seasons. He had a tough task ahead, but claims that is when the revolution started. “At first it was, ‘can we win a game?’ And then we moved to, ‘can we have a winning season?’ After 1997, we set the tone for our program. Now, can we win the conference champion-ship outright? Now it is a mission. Can we finish it?”

Last season the Monarchs finished 8-2 overall and went 6-1 in the USA South Athletic Conference. The team looks to have a strong base of returning players as well as a host of freshmen to fill out the roster. Selected in a tie to finish third in the preseason poll, Methodist has the potential to defy expectations and improve upon their 2005 season. THe Monarchs know they have a team with the capability, but they need to execute. Sypult agrees, “The key is going to be putting the parts of the puzzle together to make it work. That’s a team that will contend for the title.”

As Coach Sypult prepared for the 2006 season he reminded his team, “The 2005 headlines are gone. The awards, achievements, trophies, rings and applause are dead. It is all about 2006. You try to improve every year. We want to win the conference outright.” Fourteen All-Conference performers return for the new season and everyone is ready to keep moving forward in the progression to finish. “That is our dream. However, dreams can’t be achieved without starting again with a renewed attitude. We are on a mission. We will party and dance every step of the way, but we understand the commitment to Methodist football,” said Sypult.


OFFENSE:

In 2005, Methodist had a record-breaking offense. Career, season, and game records were surpassed for rushing and passing. Quarterback Chris Roncketti was named the USA South Offensive Player of the Year after he led the conference in passing (2,234 yards) and total offense (2,714 yards). Mike Hill rushed for 1,054 yards to become the first Methodist football player to break 1,000 yards in a season. Scoring was not usually a problem as the Monarchs always scored 28 points or more.

As the 2006 season kicks off, the biggest question surrounds the quarterback position, but a number of freshmen and returners have competed to fill Roncketti’s shoes. The amount of contenders has only increased the level of play in practice as each one wants to prove himself. Only time will tell to determine who is going to step out and make a difference in 2006. Sypult is looking not only for a starter, but for someone who is going to become a leader for the team.

The Monarchs’ offense will return five wide receivers that have already made an impact as “go-to players.” The Methodist offense prides itself on its ability to distribute the ball to a number of different people. George Sands (5-8, 159), Jonathan Mularski (6-0, 205), and Patrick Doleman (6-1, 190) all received conference honors last season. Mularski and Sands are ranked 8th and 9th respectively for career yardage leaders at Methodist.  Senior Chuck Howard (5-8, 168) went down in the record books for the longest reception after catching Roncketti’s 93-yard pass against Shenandoah in 2005. Howard stands tenth on the list of career receptions. The new quarterback will have plenty of options when looking to pass. Senior offensive guards Rhyan Breen (5-10, 280) and Max Dinges (6-0, 270) will both look to allow more time on the offensive line. Breen and Dinges were both selected to the second team USA South and look to have a strong senior campaign.

Sypult has high hopes for senior tight end, Andrew Gurley (6-2, 230), who has made “vast improvements in his body and his maturity.” Mike Hill (5-10, 169) returns for his junior year along with sophomore Joseph Matthews (5-9, 170), both expecting to push the envelope for the Monarch running game. Hill is already ranked fifth in career rushing leaders with 1,387 yards in just two years. The USA South selected him to their second team All-Conference last year. Matthews will have some yards to fill without Roncketti but Matthews hopes to continue to improve. Fullback R.J. Lassiter (5-11, 210) will help carry the load. Sypult predicts sophomore Levere Alexander (6-3, 233) and junior Matt Parrish (6-1, 260) could be occasional starters.

The Methodist coaching staff has big expectations for senior placekicker, Patrick Larkin (6-4, 230). Larkin was selected to the first team Special Teams for the USA South last year after converting 38-of-40 point-after attempts and going 7-for-13 in field goal attempts. Sypult commends Larkin’s ability to shorten the field for the offense, knowing Larkin can finish the attack. Senior Jordan Allen (6-0, 270) looks to be the primary punter as Sypult loves his ability to keep the ball in the air. He is said to have a tremendous leg and as he continues to be more consistent, he will find even more success.


DEFENSE:

The Methodist Monarchs defense will return eight of their eleven starters, seven who were honored with All-Conference awards in 2005. The defense was ranked second in the conference last year and hopes to use their experience to improve on that mark.

Senior John Northern (5-8, 255) returns as an exceptional player, named to the USA South first team last season. Coach Sypult knows that Northern will continue to cause problems for the opposing offense. Sypult refers to defensive ends Brandon Hayden (6-3, 235) and Sean Merritt (5-10, 251) as “two warriors who come to play every down.” Both have made vast improvements to their game even after being part of the USA South honorable mention last year. Defensive backs Mitchell Collier (6-0, 170), Chris Gauntlett (6-0, 195), and Antwin Shuford (6-1, 205) were all USA South second team members last year and return to stifle the opponents. Senior Lance Wilkie (6-0, 275) will add depth to the defensive line and junior Nevin Rayford (5-6, 160) returns as the starting cornerback.

Daryl Lawrence (6-0, 223) led the team in tackles in 2005 and has already been named to the Don Hansen’s 2006 Football Gazette Preseason All-American third team. Lawrence was ranked fifth in the conference for tackles last year. Senior Blake Farrell (6-0, 200), junior Philip Burlingame (5-10, 200), junior Jeremy Perkins (6-2, 200), and sophomore Greg Nelson (5-11, 230) will back up the line.



Overall, the Methodist football team has high expectations for the 2006 season. Sypult knows he has a tough schedule ahead with every opponent bringing their top game, but he has confidence in his returners and remains optimistic regarding his freshmen. The USA South continues to provide some of the best competition in the country. After beating both Shenandoah and Christopher Newport for the first time last season, but still losing to Ferrum, Sypult understands it is not over. He still wants to become a consistent contender in Division III football. Sypult’s “dream” extends to academics, “I want players to earn a degree and have successful careers after football. Methodist is about more than football. I want first class people.” Sypult has faith in his coaching staff as his support to take this team all the way. The Monarchs have started the “revolution” and now they embark on the next “mission.” They want to finish.