Football | 10/29/2011 7:12:00 PM

Box Score DANVILLE, Va. - Methodist put together a last minute drive to tie Averett at 21, but Averett outlasted the Monarchs in overtime to win 28-21.

Averett held the 21-14 lead at the end of the third quarter, but the and while two previous possessions in the fourth quarter came up short, the Monarchs had one final opportunity getting the ball back on their own 45-yard line with 1:14 remaining in the game. Methodist capitalized on a pass interference call to reach Averett's 40 and quarterback Max Reber connected with Vaughn Cross on three passes including an 18-yard touchdown pass with 33 seconds left. Tyler Mosko's extra point tied the game forcing overtime.

The Cougars were persistent with six straight run plays with Kirkland Brown finishing the drive with the touchdown. The Monarchs had a chance to counter and reached the 13-yard line before a fumble ended the drive giving Averett the 28-21 win.

The Monarchs took the early lead scoring on their first possession of the game. The Methodist defense had locked Averett in deep and a short punt was downed at the Averett 39-yard line. John Flanagan picked up a first down for the Monarchs and used a pass interference call to reach the 14-yard line. Methodist kept chipping away at the yardage and Reber finished off the drive with a one-yard run. Mosko added the extra point for the 7-0 lead.

Averett came back and tied the game on their next possession using six rushing plays and a Methodist personal foul. The Monarchs' Seth Sandlin picked up an interception early in the second quarter, but the Monarchs' ensuing drive stalled at the Methodist 48-yard line. Averett took over on their own 21-yard line and put together a 79-yard drive to go ahead 13-7 while Derek Helsley's extra point kick attempt failed.

Methodist came back in the third quarter and capitalized on a blocked punt to take over on Averett's 40-yard line. The offense drove down to the 19-yard line where Reber connected with tight end Nathan Kindley for a 19-yard touchdown pass. Mosko's extra point gave Methodist the 14-13 lead with 5:46 left in the quarter. Unfortunately a strong kickoff return and another MU penalty set up Averett's offense on the 50-yard line. The Cougars slowly progressed into the red zone and Brown put Averett up 21-14 with a touchdown run and two-point conversion.

Reber finished 17-for-29 passing for 188 yards and two touchdowns to go alon gwith 43 yards rushing and a touchdown. Flanagan led the team with 82 rushing yards. Cross racked up nine catches for 121 yards. Navahri Holden had a team-high 11 tackles including one for a loss of five yards.

Methodist will be back in action next Saturday when they host N.C. Wesleyan at 1 p.m. in the final home game of the season. 

Box Score