Football | 10/17/2009 5:54:51 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Methodist football team led 14-0 at halftime before Shenandoah stormed back to tie the game in the fourth quarter. The Monarchs battled to the 17-14 overtime win over the Hornets.

The Monarchs (2-4, 1-2) capitalized on a Shenandoah (1-5, 0-3) fumble midway through the first quarter to regain possession at their own 36-yard line. Methodist running backs Reggie Scales and Corey McGuire helped move the ball into Shenandoah territory and the first quarter ended with the Monarchs on the Hornets' five-yard line. The Shenandoah defense forced Methodist to attempt a 21-yard field goal that missed wide left leaving the game scoreless.

Shenandoah took over and drove down into the red zone where quarterback Vern Lunsford was intercepted at the Methodist six-yard line by Wayne Yawn. The Monarchs took over on their own 19-yard line and quarterback Erik Teague completed a 81-yard drive with a 39-yard touchdown pass to Grady Hart. Mosko's extra point gave the Monarchs the 7-0 lead with 1:53 to go in the half. The Hornets took over on their own 10-yard line after a big tackle from Methodist's Trent Strickland on the kickoff. The defense locked Shenandoah in and forced the punt allowing the Monarchs one final possession before the break. Teague threw 5-for-5 on the drive finished up with a two-yard touchdown pass to Nathan Kindley. Mosko gave the Monarchs the 14-0 lead at halftime.

The Hornets took advantage of a Teague interception in the third quarter taking over on the Methodist 18-yard line. Lunsford loss three years before Keone Kyle scored on a 21-yard touchdown run. The extra point cut the Monarchs' lead to seven with 6:56 to go in the quarter. Methodist could not get a first down in the third quarter and Shenandoah led off the fourth quarter on the Monarchs' 12-yard line. The Hornets had fourth and goal on the four-yard line but Lunsford's pass came up short giving the ball back to the Monarchs on downs.

Methodist was forced to punt on two more possessions before the Hornets used a 68-yard drive to tie the game with 2:00 left to play. Three incomplete passes and a punt gave the ball back to Shenandoah, but a sack from Devoe Mewborn on third down gave the Monarchs another opportunity. Methodist took over with 18 seconds to play and Teague found Cheston Pulliam to move the ball to the Shenandoah 46-yard line. After an incomplete pass, Teague connected with Curtis Maheu for a 25-yard gain and the Monarchs called timeout with one second left on the clock. Mosko came up just short on a 38-yard field goal attempt, sending the game to overtime.

Shenandoah started with the ball in overtime, but the Hornets' 35-yard field goal attempt was blocked and recovered by Anthony Cassone giving the ball back to the Monarchs. Methodist moved the ball to the Hornets' 15-yard line but after a penalty moved the ball back, Mosko was sent on to attempt a 42-yard field goal. It was sweet redemption as Mosko's kick sailed through the uprights to give the Monarchs the 17-14 Homecoming win.

Teague finished 18-for-33 throwing for 211 yards while Scales picked up 49 rushing yards. Hart caught four passes for 77 yards. Freshman Blake Brown led the defense with 8.5 tackles while #T.J. Broxton added 8.0 tackles and Jody Balaam# had seven.

Lunsford was 15-for-25 for the Hornets with 133 yards. Kyle ran for 167 yards while Alexander Barnett and Joe Lunsford had 6.5 tackles a piece.

The Monarchs will travel to Averett next Saturday for a 1 pm kickoff.

Box Score