August 14, 2008
2008 Football Preview
Monarchs to kick off season Sept. 6 by hosting Campbell

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Ben Sweetland once said, “Success is a journey not a destination.” Methodist University Head Football Coach, Jim Sypult subscribes to the same philosophy. Embarking on his 17th season at the helm of the Monarchs, Sypult is approaching the upcoming football season as another series of steps in his own journey.

Last season the Monarchs dropped the first four games before picking up a win at Averett University. The team managed to turn things around and ended the season on a three-game winning streak. “Last year I probably did some of my best coaching,” Sypult said. “In terms of taking a team towards its potential and rising above adversity, that team ultimately gelled and began to understand team unity comes first.”

The football program will celebrate its 20th season at Methodist in 2008. While Sypult did not take the reigns until 1992, he saw the Monarchs from the program’s inception in 1989 while serving as an assistant at Davidson College prior to taking over at Methodist. “Methodist football has been a journey with a lot of progress in 19 seasons,” Sypult said. “Sometimes they are just baby steps, but we have made strides to become a competitive program. We still have dreams and goals we would like to accomplish.”

With wins over Maryville, Greensboro, and Shenandoah, Methodist finished 4-3 in the USA South. Emory & Henry forfeited their season giving the Monarchs a 5-5 overall record in 2007. Despite the team’s setbacks, they finished in a tie for third within the conference standings and look to build on last season’s successes with continued growth in 2008.

Approximately 120 newcomers will join 60 returners to form the 2008 Methodist football team. Sypult and his staff will begin a constant evaluation system to integrate the rookies with the returning players. “From day one we try to determine who has the potential to help us right now,” commented Sypult. “Our 60 returners have earned the right to get the first shot while our freshmen adjust to the college experience.”

OFFENSE
During the 2007 season sophomore, Brandon Parks grew as a quarterback on his way to earning All-Conference honors. He finished the season with nearly 2,000 yards in passing and almost another 300 in rushing. Parks transferred in the offseason handing the starting job to junior Erik Teague. “Teague is our man,” Sypult said. “He is unproven in games, but he is a proven winner.” In two seasons with the Monarchs, Teague has played in just three games but is 9-for-12 passing including a touchdown pass against North Carolina Wesleyan last season. Also looking for time at quarterback will be six potential newcomers looking for an opportunity to prove themselves.

Sypult acknowledged his offense is going to be based around the weapons available. He began at the front, the offensive line. “Our entire line returns including three All-Conference players in junior Brandon Iseman, junior Bill Samuels, and junior Joshua Kesler,” he said. “The offensive line is our strength.”

Sypult would like the offense to be balanced with the ability to throw and run. Teague has been known to take off on the run and his running game will only add to the core group returning. Sophomores Blake Harrison and Corey McGuire return at tailback combining for more than 450 yards last season behind Methodist record holder Michael Hill. Junior fullback Jason Layton returns with the ability to help spread the load.

The top returning wide receiver comes in sophomore Brian Hopkins. Hopkins picked up more than 300 yards with three touchdown receptions during his rookie campaign. Junior Chris Peoples and senior Jared Boyles bring additional experience to the receivers’ corps. “All of our receivers are capable possession guys, but we’re looking to find a guy who can go deep,” added Sypult. Pat Doleman was a crucial part of the system for the past four seasons filling that role. Replacing Doleman and graduate Jonathan Mularski will add to the offensive depth for the Monarchs.

Sophomore Mario Miralles returns with a year of experience under his belt. The Monarchs’ primary kicker last season, Miralles was 6-for-18 in field goals and converted 21-of-25 point-after-touchdown attempts. “We really like Mario’s temperament,” Sypult said. “He has the ability to be one of the best.” The Monarchs are also looking to replace their punter Leigh Manley. Miralles, Teague and sophomore Josh Cook will be vying for the job.

DEFENSE
The Methodist defense was led by five seniors last season leaving the Monarchs searching for depth this year. Junior Brian Leary, sophomore Eric Blalock and senior Antonio Bartee will be the three leaders on defense. Leary and Blalock will be the cornerstones of the defensive line while Bartee has the potential to be one of the best in the conference in the secondary. Additional returners include junior cornerback Demory Williams and junior noseguard Eric Wilson.

Traditionally, the line has the most depth through a series of rotations so while some returning players may not have been starters, they arrive with game experience from last season. The secondary is thin and one of Sypult’s primary goals is to find a free safety. “The potential is there, but we need to find depth.”

Leaving big shoes to fill was graduate Daryl Lawrence. Voted the USA South Defensive Player of the Year, Lawrence paced the Monarchs with 111 tackles in 2007. Leary will look to step up returning as the 2007 Co-Most Valuable Player on defense. He missed three games last season and still finished with 47 tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. “He’s just one guy though,” Sypult noted.

OVERALL
Sypult welcomes his team to campus Aug. 10 and will get to work with his staff to prepare the players for their first game in less than a month. “Our players have developed their mission statement that basically says, ‘This is a journey,’” Sypult said. “Our role is to give them the tasks they must achieve to be successful in this journey. We will put them in adverse situations, be touch on them and maintain high expectations, but it is up to the team to rise to the occasion.”

That first occasion arrives Sept. 6 when the Monarchs host nearby Campbell University. “I scheduled Campbell primarily for the local interest,” Sypult commented. “I want to generate enthusiasm within the community.” Campbell will kick off its first season in 58 years the week prior to the Methodist game. Following the Campbell game the Monarchs will travel to Guilford College, the only team Methodist has played every season since beginning football. Methodist opens USA South Conference play Sept. 27 against N.C. Wesleyan at the Northern Nash Football Complex in Rocky Mount, N.C. A non-conference game against Emory Henry takes place Oct. 4 before resuming USA South play hosting Averett and Ferrum. The team will travel to Christopher Newport for an Oct. 25 game and celebrate Homecoming Nov. 1 against Greensboro. The regular season concludes at Shenandoah Nov. 8.

“Christopher Newport, Maryville, and Ferrum have to be considered the top three in the USA South coming into the season,” Sypult said. “N.C. Wesleyan deserves a lot of respect for winning the conference and a playoff game last year, but our team is probably considered a coin toss right now. We are capable of winning every game.”

Sypult will have the help of seven full-time assistant coaches this year. Last year’s staff returns while adding Jerry McCombs from USA South opponent Averett University. “Having seven guys is a luxury for us, but we felt it was needed,” Sypult said.
The Monarchs are anxious to get started on the upcoming season, but Sypult knows it is not about the wins and losses. “Success is in the little steps, we can’t worry about the scoreboard,” he said. After all, “Success is a journey not a destination.”

Photo courtesy of ESPN Radio - R2K2 Photography