Football | 10/11/2008 4:56:02 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Averett took the early lead on Saturday and held off the Monarchs to win 31-17.  Averett moves to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in the USA South while Methodist falls to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in the conference.

The Monarchs were forced to punt on their first possession and the Cougars drove down the field to the Methodist 13-yard line.  Methodist tackle Josh Cook and noseguard Eric Wilson drove Averett's Dontavious Watson back three yards to force the field goal.  Chris Ashcraft's 33-yard kick gave the Cougars the 3-0 lead with 8:19 to go in the first quarter.  

Methodist quarterback Erik Teague was intercepted on the Monarchs' first play of the series, and Averett came back with a 1-yard touchdown run from Brian Daniels for the 10-0 lead.  The first quarter ended with Averett's 10 point lead, but the Cougars struck again on another touchdown from Daniels for the 17-0 advantage.

The Monarchs moved to the Averett 20-yard line on a pass from Teague to Jason Layton but another interception gave the ball back to the Cougars.  Teague was picked off on the next possession, giving Averett the ball on the Methodist 47-yard line.  The defense did not allow a first down forcing the Averett punt.  The Monarchs' Kerrick Brown blocked the punt and Chris Smith recovered for the Monarchs to get the ball back on the Averett 29-yard line.  Teague picked up a first down on a pass to Brian Hopkins and Corey McGuire found a hole to move the ball nine yards to the Averett 5-yard line.  The Cougars called a timeout, but Reggie Scales ran through the middle for the touchdown.  Mario Miralles converted the extra point.  At halftime, Averett led 17-7.

Averett started the second half but could not pick up the first down, forcing the punt.  The Methodist offense was clicking on all cylinders as they drove 50-yards for another touchdown, capped off by Teague's 8-yard touchdown pass to Devin Goodman.  Miralles' extra point moved the Monarchs to within three points.

The Cougars responded with a touchdown of their own, but Miralles hit a 30-yard field goal 1:45 to go in the third quarter.  Time expired in the quarter with Averett ahead 24-17.  The Cougars resumed possession in the fourth and took advantage of a Methodist penalty to score another touchdown.  The Monarchs would have three more possessions but could not move past the Averett 26.  The Cougars took over on downs with 2:23 to go in the game and finished out with the 31-17 victory. 

Teague threw 14-for-28 for 162 yards with one touchdown.  Hopkins led the receivers with seven catches for 92 yards.  McGuire ran for 89 yards and Scales was right behind him with 83.  The Methodist defense was led by Troy Glover with 14 tackles.  Darrin Gorham had eight while Chris Oden and Brandon Stoudemire had seven a piece.

Averett quarterback Philip Kwiatkowski was 16-for-24 for 165 yards without an interception.  John Ellison ran for 80 yards while Watson had 76.  Mario Huffman and Justin McCauley had seven tackles a piece for the defense.

The Monarchs will host Ferrum next Saturday at 1 pm.

Box Score