October 22, 2005
Record-setting day for Roncketti as Monarchs shock Christopher Newport 35-28

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Chris Roncketti and the rest of the Methodist senior football class had one final shot at knocking off USA South Athletic Conference rival Christopher Newport on Saturday. Unlike the three previous seasons, they would not be denied.

Behind a record-setting performance by Roncketti, the Monarchs finally broke through against the visiting Captains with a thrilling 35-28 Homecoming victory at Monarch Stadium. It was the Monarchs’ first victory over Christopher Newport in five tries, and it keeps Methodist in the USA South title hunt at 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the USA South.

The day belonged to Roncketti. The senior quarterback completed 20-for-29 passes for 323 yards with a touchdown to set a Methodist single-game school record for passing yards. He eclipsed the old mark of 297, set by Brian Turner against Chowan in 1998.

With the score tied 14-14, Methodist erupted for 21 unanswered points in the second quarter to take a commanding 35-14 lead at halftime.

Following the game-tying touchdown by the Captains, the Monarchs drove 62 yards on seven plays as Mike Hill scored from 3 yards out to give Methodist a 21-14 lead with 13:19 remaining in the first half. Methodist’s Nevin Rayford blocked a 20-yard field goal attempt on Christopher Newport’s ensuing possession, and the Monarchs cashed in again.

A dramatic 27-yard pass from Roncketti to George Sands gave the Monarchs a first down on the Christopher Newport 32-yard line. Behind some strong running by Hill and a Captain pass interference penalty, Roncketti scored on a 2-yard quarterback sneak, extending the Methodist lead to 28-14 with 1:56 remaining.

The Monarchs weren’t finished there. Methodist sacked Christopher Newport quarterback Phillip Jones twice, including on fourth down, taking over on its own 38 with 1:01 remaining. From there, Roncketti completed dramatic pass, this time 31 yards to Patrick Doleman for a first down on the Captain 22. After a 19-yard pass to Jonathan Mularski, Roncketti hooked up with Hill on an 8-yard touchdown pass with 14 seconds remaining.

Mularski finished the game with four receptions for 94 yards, while Doleman had four receptions for 85 and Sands added four receptions for 68 yards. Jeremy McSwain paced Methodist on the ground with 54 yards on nine carries, while Hill had 53 yards on 17 carries. Those 53 yards put Hill at 776 yards for a new single-season Methodist rushing record.

Jones was the catalyst for Christopher Newport (4-3, 3-1), completing 24-for-47 passes for 321 yards and four touchdown passes. Three of those went to receiver Nathan Davis – a 58-yard scoring strike in the first quarter, followed by a 3-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter and a 9-yard scoring strike in the fourth quarter.

Roland Hillard finished with 98 yards rushing on 18 carries for the Captains.

Methodist travels next Saturday (Oct. 29) to Maryville for a 1 p.m. kickoff.