September 15, 2007
Methodist Comes Up Short in Overtime Loss to Chowan
Senior Mike Hill scores four touchdowns on 94 yards rushing

MURFREESBORO, NC -  The Monarchs had an early lead but Chowan sent the game into overtime and went on to win 31-30. The Monarchs move to 0-2 on the year while Chowan stands at 1-3 this season.

On the Monarchs' second possession of the game, the team moved the ball down the field behind a 32 yard run for senior Jonathan Mularski. Senior Mike Hill finished the drive with three attempts for 19 yards to score the first touchdown and give Methodist a 6-0 lead. Freshman Mario Miralles' extra point attempt was good. Chowan responded with a three play drive capped off by a 70-yard touchdown pass to tie the game.

Methodist started the second quarter on the Chowan 13-yard line. There were penalties on both sides before Hill ran the final nine yards for a touchdown. Miralles' extra point gave Methodist a 14-7 lead. With 9:38 remaining in the quarter Chowan started their drive before sophomore Demory Williams intercepted Chowan quarterback Josh Floyd for a 44-yard return to the Chowan 42-yard line. A Methodist penalty pushed the Monarchs back five yards, but sophomore quarterback Brandon Parks found senior Pat Doleman for a 12-yard completion to the 35-yard line. Hill picked up 29 yards on three carries. Hill finished the drive with a six yard touchdown run. Miralles gave Methodist the 21-14 lead.

Methodist took their lead into the locker room at halftime and the third quarter passed scoreless. With 10 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Chowan made a 27-yard field goal to move within four, but Methodist responded with a 44-yard field goal from Miralles to go up 24-17. Methodist would have another possession but was forced to punt with Chowan taking over at the Chowan 28-yard line with 3:09 to go in the game. Chowan's freshman quarterback who entered in the third quarter took over finishing a 72-yard drive with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Myrick for the touchdown with 39 seconds on the clock. The extra point tied the game, and the Monarchs could not get hte first down on their final drive sending the game into overtime.

On the first possession of overtime, Chowan used a Methodist pass interference penalty to advance to the Methodist 9-yard line and Brown and Myrick finished the drive before kicker Cory Cline gave the Hawks a 31-24 lead. The Monarchs responded with a three play drive to score, but an attempt to score two went awry with Chowan taking the 31-30 win.

Hill finished with 94 yards rushing for the Monarchs while Parks went 9-for-16 passing with 116 yards. Chowan gained 222 yards rushing with 286 yards passing on the day.

The Monarchs begin conference play on Saturday hosting N.C. Wesleyan at 1 pm.

Box Score

Photo courtesy of ESPN Radio - R2K2 Photography