September 24, 2005photo
 Fourth-quarter heroics trigger Methodist’s 31-20 triumph over North Carolina Wesleyan

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Methodist Monarchs showed no panic entering the fourth quarter behind by three points against visiting rival North Carolina Wesleyan. Instead, they rose to the occasion.

Sparkled by fourth quarter touchdown runs by Mike Hill and Chuck Howard, the Monarchs rallied in the final period for a 31-20 victory over North Carolina Wesleyan at Monarch Stadium. It was the USA South Athletic Conference opener for both teams. Methodist improves to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the USA South, while North Carolina Wesleyan slips to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the USA South.

Methodist led 17-13 in the third quarter when the Monarchs elected to go for the first down on fourth-and-2 from the North Carolina Wesleyan 7-yard line. However, the Bishops’ Davon Collins intercepted a Chris Roncketti pass, and North Carolina Wesleyan responded as quarterback Cedric Townsend connected with Pat Funkhouser on a 35-yard touchdown pass to give the Bishops a 20-17 entering the fourth quarter.

On its second possession of the fourth quarter, however, Hill scored on a 51-yard touchdown run on third-and-three, giving the Monarchs a 24-20 lead with 10:43 remaining in the game. After forcing North Carolina Wesleyan to punt, the Monarchs struck again. This time, Howard scored on a 34-yard touchdown off a double-reverse with 8:11 remaining.

For the second straight game, Hill eclipsed 100 yards rushing for the Monarchs. The sophomore finished with 143 yards on 26 carries. Roncketti completed 14-for-23 passes for 196 yards and gained 72 yards rushing on 11 carries. Roncketti hooked up with sophomore George Sands on an impressive 73-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to give the Monarchs a 7-6 lead. Later in the quarter, the senior scored on a 1-yard sneak, increasing the Monarch lead to 14-6 with 6:54 remaining in the first half.

Sands finished the game with four receptions for 101 yards.

A key for the Methodist defense was to contain North Carolina Wesleyan sophomore tailback Javon Williams, and it did. Williams, the leading rusher in the USA South entering the game, gained 81 yards on eight carries. However, one attempt resulted in a 76-yard touchdown scamper with 5:52 remaining in the first half. However, an injury kept Williams out for the entire second half.

Townsend completed 21-for-32 passes for 212 yards for the Bishops.

Methodist is home again next Saturday (Oct. 1), playing host to Emory & Henry at 1 p.m. at Monarch Stadium.