October 21, 2006
Monarchs Fall to Christopher Newport Captains 21-0
Sophomore Antwin Shuford leads defense with 12 tackles

FAYETTEVILLE, NC-  The Christopher Newport defense put a stop to the Monarch offense holding Methodist to 139 yards compared to the Captains' 360 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Christopher Newport scored a touchdown in each of the final three quarters to win 21-0.  The Monarchs fall to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the USA South while Christopher Newport improves to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the conference.

The Monarchs received the first kickoff and with an 11 yard return from George Sands, the Monarchs started on their own 22-yard line.  Quarterback Brandon Parks completed his first pass of the game to Patrick Doleman for six yards and Mike Hill ran for 4 more to get the first down, but it would be the only first down of the quarter for the Monarchs.  Christopher Newport's offense did not fare much better reaching the Methodist 2-yard line on their first possession, but Monarch freshman Brian Leary picked off Captain quarterback George Jones' pass on third down and 16.  Antwin Shuford forced and recovered a fumble on Christopher Newport's next possession still keeping the quarter scoreless.  The Captains started their final drive of the quarter with 5:05 remaining and started moving the ball down the field into Monarch territory, but quarterback Todd Faison's pass was intercepted by Chuck Howard in the end zone.

The second quarter started with a 7-yard run by Mike Hill but still three yards short of a first down, Patrick Larkin came on to punt.  Larkin's punt was blocked by Captain Rob Rodriguez, but the Monarchs recovered it in their own end zone.  Christopher Newport penalties moved the ball up to the Methodist 30-yard line, but after receiving a holding penalty on a 14-yard rush by Joseph Matthews, the Monarchs could not get another first down.  The Captains had chances of their own but scored first with 1:20 remaining in the half.  George Jones received Larkin's punt on Christopher Newport's 39-yard line and returned to the ball to their own 39.  Roland Hilliard had a 9 yard run and quarterback Todd Faison had three passes for 23 yards to reach the Methodist 22-yard line.  A person foul on the Monarchs advanced the Captains to the 11 yard line and Hilliard ran the ball in for the touchdown and the 7-0 lead at halftime.

Patrick Larkin kicked off to start the third quarter and Christopher Newport's offense began pushing downfield right away.  The Captains had 4th down and one yard to go on the Methodist 33-yard line when Greg Nelson and Brian Leary had a big stop to prevent the first down.  The Monarchs received possession and quarterback Brandon Parks found Chuck Howard for a 14 yard completion, but Captain Justin Long was there to force a fumble and give the ball back to the Captains.  Christopher Newport finished things off with a 39-yard pass from Faison to Curfew Speight, a 2-yard run by Hilliard and a 9-yard pass to George Jones for the touchdown.  With the Captains leading 14-0, the Monarchs put on some pressure of their own with 44 yard drive down to the Captains' 12 yard line.  Parks had two passes to Jonathan Mularski for 20 yards and Mike Hill grabbed 24 yards on the run.  The Monarchs were stopped on 4th and 7 with with an incomplete pass.  The Monarchs were back down in Captains' territory on their next possession, but could not reach the end zone.

Christopher Newport maintained possession on the fourth quarter but punted on 4th and 10 for the Monarchs to start their drive on the Methodist 39 yard line.  The Captains' defense maintained a tight hold on the Monarchs forcing the punt back to the Captains.  On their third play, Monarch Greg nelson forced a Todd Faison fumble and Methodist player Brandon Hayden was able to grab the ball and pick up 9 yards to reach the Captains' 11 yard line.  Mike Hill ran for 3 yards to get inside the 10, but the Christopher Newport defense stifled another chance for the Monarchs to score.  On the next Monarchs' possession, they were on their own 26 yard line when Parks pass was picked off by Captain Rob Rodriguez and returned to the Methodist 12.  Christopher Newport took over and Hilliard ran for 5 yards to reach the 7.  Evan Taylor score the third Christopher Newport touchdown on his second run of the drive.  The Monarchs had one last chance to score, but the clock ran out with the Monarchs on their own 34-yard line.

Mike Hill was held to 53 yards rushing while Brandon Parks finished 11-28 passing with one interception and 104 yards.  Patrick Doleman led the Methodist receivers with 6 catches for 54 yards.  Roland Hilliard led the Captains with 125 yards running while quarterback Todd Faison finished 18-25 for 251 yards. 

The Monarchs will return home next week hosting Maryville October 28th at 1 pm.