November 12, 2005photo
 USA SOUTH CO-CHAMPS! Monarchs blank Shenandoah 35-0 for first conference title

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Every athletic program at Methodist College has at least one championship banner hanging in the Riddle Center except football. However, that changed on Saturday.

With 14 seniors donning the green and gold uniforms for the final time, the Methodist Monarchs wrapped up the 2005 regular season with a convincing 35-0 shutout over visiting Shenandoah at Monarch Stadium. The victory, coupled with Christopher Newport’s 44-7 rout at Ferrum, gives the Monarchs a share of the 2005 USA South Athletic Conference championship – the first football championship in program history.

In addition, Methodist (8-2, 6-1 USA South) defeated Shenandoah (1-9, 0-7) for the first time in five attempts. It was also the 75th victory in the 17-year history of Methodist football, and the second-best season record-wise for Methodist..

Methodist dominated the game in all phases. Paced by quarterback Chris Roncketti and tailback Mike Hill, the Monarchs rolled up 453 yards in total offense, while the stout Methodist defense limited the Hornets to only 167 yards of total offense.

Roncketti, a senior, completed 13-for-22 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns to wrap up a magnificent career at Methodist. The 279 yards give him 2,234 yards for season, making Roncketti the first quarterback ever at Methodist to pass for more than 2,000 yards in a season.

A sophomore, Hill gained 135 yards on 24 carries, and finished the season with 1,054 yards rushing. It marks the first time ever a Methodist runner has eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing in a season.

Methodist scored on its first possession as Roncketti capped a seven-play, 59-yard drive with a 3-yard keeper for a touchdown with 12:05 remaining in the first quarter. After forcing a Shenandoah punt, Roncketti hooked up with Chuck Howard on a 93-yard touchdown bomb, increasing the Methodist lead to 14-0 with 8:20 remaining in the opening period.

That was the longest pass play for a touchdown in Methodist football history.

The Monarchs increased the lead to 21-0 with 6:29 remaining when Roncketti hooked up with George Sands on a 20-yard touchdown pass.

On its second possession on the second half, Methodist drove 62 yards in five plays as Roncketti connected with Patrick Doleman on a 13-yard touchdown pass with 6:55 remaining in the third quarter. On Shenandoah’s ensuing possession, Monarch linebacker Travis Jean-Claude intercepted a Hornet pass at the Shenandoah 17. That set up a 1-yard touchdown plunge by senior fullback Eric Staley with 5:33 remaining in the third quarter.

In addition to Roncketti and Hill, Doleman had four receptions for 37 yards, Sands had three receptions for 73 yards and Jerold Robinson had three receptions for 28 yards. Anthony Frates gained 76 yards on 23 carries for Shenandoah.