Football | 10/24/2009 6:39:50 PM

DANVILLE, Va. - Averett football jumped out to an early lead against the Monarchs Saturday and finished up with the 38-7 win.

Methodist (2-5, 1-3) struggled in the first quarter, unable to get a first down while Averett (5-2, 3-1) was able to score the first touchdown of the game. The Cougars used five rushing plays to score on a 59-yard drive, but the extra point attempt failed for the 6-0 lead. Averett ended the quarter on the Methodist five yard line and Dontavious Watson led off the second quarter with two rushes for the final five yards and the touchdown. The Cougars converted the 2-point attempt to go ahead 14-0.

Watson scored again for Averett in the second quarter on a 2-yard run. Matthew Wilson's kick gave the Cougars the 21-0 lead. Averett's Matthew Wilson attempted a 43-yard field goal, just before halftime, but the Monarchs came up with another block, to end the half with the Cougars leading 21-0.

Methodist kicked off to start the third quarter and Averett's Jeremy Dixon led off with a 38-yard return to set up the Cougars on the Methodist 45-yard line. Averett capitalized on their running game with another touchdown on six rushing plays. The extra point gave Averett the 28-0 lead. The Monarchs were forced to punt on their next possession and Averett came back with a 36-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Squillini for the 35-0 lead.

Averett tacked on a 40-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter before Methodist took over with 9:32 to go on their own 35-yard line. Quarterback Erik Teague picked up the Monarchs' first first down with a 12-yard pass to sophomore Jason Talbert. Teague went 4-for-5 passing on the drive before finishing with a 1-yard touchdown run to cut into the Cougars' lead. Sophomore Tyler Mosko converted the extra point for Averett to lead 38-7. Methodist would have one final possession, but the Cougars came up with an interception to finish with the 38-7 win.

Sophomore Reggie Scales led the Monarchs with 34 rushing yards on eight attempts. Teague finished up 5-for-14 passing for 67 yards with two interceptions. Junior Alan Preston was 4-for-10 for 27 yards with one interception.  Freshman Grady Hart caught four passes for 36 yards while senior Chris Peoples had two receptions for 38 yards.

Senior Brian Leary led the defense with eight tackles while freshman Seth Sandlin earned a sack and Eric Blalock came up with an interception.

The Averett offense combined for 310 rushing yards while Cody Ladutko threw for 113 yards on 8-for-13 passing with one interception.

The Monarchs will host N.C. Wesleyan next Saturday at 1 pm.

Box Score