Football | 9/3/2009 9:33:14 AM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The 2008 Methodist University football season was full of close calls and just misses, but Head Coach Jim Sypult is anxious for a fresh start in 2009. The Monarchs started last season with a convincing win over Campbell University, but after a one point loss to Guilford, the team struggled to rebound and finished the season 2-8 overall and 1-6 in the USA South.

“I've dissected it from A to Z and I came up with a bunch of excuses, but the bottom line is we just didn't get the job done,” Head Coach Jim Sypult said. “The buck stops with me, and as it stops with me, I'm going to change it.”

Sypult welcomed more than 170 players anxious to make an impact. Anchoring the returners is Sypult's largest senior class with 21 student-athletes.

“We're excited right now, but the key is to see how we react to adversity,” Sypult added. “Last year we had a victory, an upsetting loss and then we fell apart.”

This year Sypult hopes his changes will breed success for the team. “We have the same principles, the same standards,” he said. “We want good people, good students and  good athletes, but within the context of that, we like to win. We want to be successful.”

OFFENSE

At quarterback this season, Erik Teague returns for his senior season. Last year Teague started every game passing for 1,751 yards. He threw for nine touchdowns and ran for an additional three.

“Last year Teague was thrown into the wolves, but he performed admirably,” Sypult said. “Erik is the kind of player who wants to impress the coach. He is learning to make better decisions and knows when to go for it.”

Teague stepped up during the season and had some big-game performances including a record-setting feat at Christopher Newport University. He completed a Methodist high 25 passes for 351 yards.
Alan Preston backed up Teague last season and saw action in three games. “I'm comfortable with Preston stepping in at quarterback,” Sypult said.

The offensive line returns another year with a wealth of experience.  Five seniors are back as starters from a year ago. “The guys know what they're doing,” Sypult added. “The offensive line is how the offense rolls. We feel confident in our line.”

In 2008, the Monarch running game was not as strong as years past, but tailbacks Corey McGuire and Reggie Scales return along with fullback Jason Layton. “With Layton you get all you want when he comes at you,” Sypult said. Teague is also capable of advancing on the run, running for 249 yards.

“We have good depth at receiver,” Sypult said. “Chris Peoples has turned into our big-play guy. As a freshman, he was just a skinny kid trying to make it, but now he's a man.”

Peoples earned Honorable Mention USA South All-Conference honors after catching 56 passes for 792 yards. The team's leading receiver a year ago, Peoples caught five touchdown passes from his former high school teammate, Teague.

“When Brian Hopkins is healthy, he's every bit as good,” Sypult said. “Anthony Autry can fly.” Hopkins is another returning starter averaging nearly 50 yards in receptions per game while Autry caught 10 passes for 122 yards in 2008.

Sypult and his staff have been patient with receivers recognizing development comes with experience. “The guys are growing up; we have to give them time to grow,” Sypult said.

Shawn Dodd is the team's returning punter, but the Monarchs will have to replace kicker Mario Miralles. A backup in 2008, kicker Tyler Mosko returns to the program along with some newcomers. Sypult acknowledges there will be competition for spots in the kicking game.

DEFENSE

The Methodist defense has set out to improve their overall performance from last season. Senior Eric Wilson anchors the line along with juniors Michael Doyne and Josh Cook along with senior Anthony Cassone.

Doyne was selected the team's Most Valuable Player on defense last year. “I never would have believed it, but he's tenacious and has bulked up in the offseason,” Sypult said.

Additionally five sophomores return on the line boosting a core group of student-athletes.

Former military servicemen Eric Blalock and Todd Hocker return at the linebacker position along with seniors James Bristol, Michael Wilcox and Joseph Tate. The seniors show maturity. They are going to go all out while seeing significant time on defense.

Senior Brian Leary is the team's top returning tackler from a year ago. “He's the most talented guy out there,” Sypult said. “He's our foremost leader.”

Leary is expected to move to free safety where he played as a sophomore before spending time as a linebacker in 2008. Leary finished last season with 46 tackles and eight passes broken up to tie for the team high.

Demory Williams and Roderick Sawyer will join Leary as defensive backs along with a number of newcomers to the team.

Sypult plans to run a multiple pressure defense while combining the experience of his returners along with a mix of quality newcomers.

OVERALL

The Monarchs have moved into a new fieldhouse facility complete with a locker room, weight room and staff offices.  Sypult also hired three new assistants during the off-season. “We added three young, vibrant men who have added new ideas and challenged our thinking,” Sypult said. “They are going to make a strong contribution to our program.”

The offensive coaches have traded responsibilities but Associate Head Coach Dave Eavenson will remain as the offensive coordinator. Michael Maraschiello moves to the offensive line while Keven Williams will coach the quarterbacks, and Jon Sherman will lead the wide receivers.

After a year of uncertainty in the defensive coordinator position, C.J. Goss has taken over as the defensive coordinator. “Goss got it done last year transitioning to the defensive line, and I'm excited to have him lead our defense this season,” Sypult said.

Tyrone Jones will coach the defensive backs, and Vernon Wright will oversee the linebackers. Sypult is anxious to be able to step back as the head coach and see the big picture while his assistants carry out the details.

The Monarchs will open the 2009 season with Campbell for the second straight year. Last season the Camels traveled less than 30 miles south to Methodist for the Monarchs' opening win. This year, the teams will play in Buies Creek on Saturday at 1 pm.

Methodist follows up Campbell with two games against Old Dominion Athletic Conference teams Guilford (Sept. 12) and Emory & Henry (Sept. 26). Guilford is the only team Methodist has played every year since the program's inception in 1989. “It is always a great game between us and Guilford,” Sypult said. “I like playing the ODAC schools because it tells us where we stand.”

The USA South has scrambled the schedule this season, but the Monarchs will begin conference play at Maryville Oct. 3. The team follows with a trip to Ferrum Oct. 10 before returning to host Shenandoah Oct. 17 in celebration of the university's Homecoming. Methodist is scheduled to play at Averett Oct. 24 and then host N.C. Wesleyan Oct. 31. The last two weeks include a night game at Greensboro (Nov. 7) and a final home game against Christopher Newport on Nov. 14.

“As I look at the conference right now, realistically CNU is always up there, and I think N.C. Wesleyan has an excellent team coming back,” Sypult said. “Maryville and Ferrum are also going to be contenders.”

Picked seventh in the preseason poll, the Monarchs start where they finished last November. “We're at the bottom unless you look at the depth of returners on paper,” Sypult said. “But I want to be in the bottom half to give us more incentive.”

Either way, it's not how you start, but how you finish. Sypult and his staff plan to make sure they use their time wisely. Win or lose, the Monarchs are expected to work hard and be prepared.

“I have 14 four-leaf clovers my grandson and I found this summer,” Sypult said. “I'll carry them with me. There's always some luck involved. You gotta believe that.”

The MidSouth Sports team will be at Campbell this year in addition to all of the Monarchs' home games. In the local Fayetteville area, tune into to WAZZ 1490. Fans who can't make the trip, log on to the broadcast at Future Media World to listen at home.

Campbell is offering a video feed of the game this Saturday for a one-time fee of $7.95. Video