September 30, 2006
Monarch Defense Stifles Emory & Henry Wasps
Daryl Lawrence leads defense with 12 tackles and two sacks

EMORY, VA-  The Monarchs kicked off first allowing Emory & Henry minus 7 yards on their possession only to receive the ball and score a touchdown on their own first possession.  The Monarchs led as much as 16-0 before winning 16-8.  Both the Monarchs and the Wasps move to 2-2 as a result.

During the first quarter, Emory & Henry had three possessions to mount 13 yards of offense.  The Monarchs scored first after they started from the Wasps' 31 yard line and Mike Hill made an 18-yard run to the 13 yard line.  Three more runs and Hill scores with Patrick Larkin to convert the extra point.  The second possession left the Monarchs where they started, but after Emory & Henry punted back to the Monarchs, the offense started pushing the ball back deep into the Wasps' territory.  Joseph Matthews got things going with a 5 yard run before quarterback Antonio Bartee connected with George Sands for a short pass to set up third and 2 when Mike Hill pushed the ball across to get the first down.  Matthews came back out to get six more yard and Hill grabbed a couple more to set up a 33 yard field goal by Larkin.  At the end of the first quarter the Monarchs led 10-0.

The second quarter had both teams exchanging possessions without scoring.  Emory & Henry was approaching midfield on their first possession when Monarch Daryl Lawrence sacked quarterback Todd Woods for a loss of seven yards.  Methodist took over on their own 20 and got a first down after Hill made two runs for 12 yards.  Bartee then found room for a big 45 yard run to the Emory & Henry 26 yard line.  Monarch attempts to move forward were denied by the Wasps' defense setting up a 43 yard field goal attempt for Larkin.  The kick was blocked by Trent McVey giving the ball back to the Wasps.  Emory & Henry came back down with a few runs and a 20 yard pass from Woods to Tia'von Hamler eventually setting up their own 43 yard field goal.  Trey Mitchell took the kick but Patrick Doleman blocked the kick for the Monarchs.  At halftime, the Monarchs were still winning 10-0.

In the third quarter, Bartee hit George Sands for a 36 yard completion to the Emory & Henry 38 yard line.  Mike Hill tried to create another first down, but Larkin was forced to punt.  The Monarchs' defense held strong and received the ball back at the Wasps' 26 yard line.  Freshman quarterback Brandon Parks took over for Bartee and hit Patrick Doleman for 9 yards before Mike Hill gained a yard on the ground and then Parks came back to find Chuck Howard on a 16 yard completion for the Monarchs' second touchdown of the game.  The extra point attempt failed, but the Monarchs led 16-0.  Emory & Henry had a chance for another field goal, but Trey Mitchell missed the 30 yard kick wide right.

The Monarchs came back in the fourth quarter still leading 16-0.  Emory & Henry started their first possession of the quarter on their own 27 yard line but kept pushing forward.  After 16 plays, Todd Woods found Jerad Jackson for a 19 yard touchdown with 9:07 remaining in the quarter.  The Wasps went for the 2-point conversion and Woods hit Gavin Haynes to make the score 16-8 Monarchs.  The Monarchs' offense would have three more possessions and allowed Hill to run the ball.  Emory & Henry's attempts to tie the game were stopped by the Monarchs' defense.  Jonathan Douglass had an interception with 2 minutes remaining in the game to give the ball back to the Monarchs for the final possession. 

Mike Hill finished with 81 yards rushing for the Monarchs.  Quarterbacks Antonio Bartee and Brandon Parks combined for 96 yards passing throwing 8 for 12 on the day.  Daryl Lawrence had a great day with 8 unassisted tackles and 4 assisted along with 1 forced fumble and 2 sacks.  

The Monarchs will return home on Saturday to face Averett at 1 pm at Monarch Stadium.