September 3, 2005
Roncketti’s big day spoiled in Methodist’s 48-28 defeat at 15th-ranked Salisbury

SALISBURY, Md. – Quarterback Chris Roncketti enjoyed one of his best passing games yet as a Methodist Monarch on Saturday. But the Monarchs came up short in their 2005 season opener at Salisbury, falling 48-28 to the 15th-ranked Sea Gulls at Sea Gull Stadium.

It marks the first time since the 2001 season that Methodist has dropped its opener.

Roncketti completed 15-for-31 passes for 222 yards and two touchdown passes, but it was the dangerous Salisbury option offense that was the big highlight of the game. The Sea Gulls rolled up 522 yards in total offense, led by quarterback Dustin Johnson’s 150 yards rushing on 18 carries and 96 yards on 15 carries by fullback Leroy Satchell.

Methodist appeared in control for the first quarter-and-a-half. The Monarchs blocked a Salisbury punt late in the first quarter and capitalized on Mike Hill’s 2-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7-7 with 35 seconds remaining in the quarter. Methodist then took a 14-7 lead at the 13:52 mark in the second quarter on Roncketti’s 41-yard scoring strike to Patrick Doleman.

After that, the bottom literally fell out for Methodist as Salisbury scored 34 unanswered points. Satchell scored three touchdowns during the rally; including a 29-yard scamper that gave the Sea Gulls a 17-14 lead with 4:44 remaining in the first half. He added a 1-yard scoring run in the third quarter and another 15-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter to give Salisbury a commanding 41-14 lead.

Methodist answered with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Hill scored his second touchdown of the game with a 1-yard scoring jaunt with 10:13 remaining, and then Roncketti connected with tight end Andrew Gurley on a 16-yard touchdown pass with 34 seconds remaining.

Hill paced Methodist with 72 yards on 15 carries, while George Sands had four receptions for 108 yards. Roncketti moved into fourth place all-time in rushing at Methodist with 24 yards on 11 carries. Methodist had 319 yards of total offense for the game.

For Salisbury, Johnson completed 7-for-10 passes for 84 yards and he gave the Sea Gulls an early 7-0 lead with a 51-yard scoring jaunt on the option. Jamar Garner added 80 yards on only two carries for the Sea Gulls. Salisbury rushed for 388 yards overall.

Methodist travels to in-state rival Guilford on Saturday (Sept. 10) at 1 p.m. at the Armfield Athletic Center.