FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Methodist football was victorious, 34-17, Saturday afternoon against LaGrange College, in a USA South Athletic Conference game at Monarch Stadium.
During the second quarter, senior
Xzavier McNeil caught his 187th career reception. That broke the all-time career receptions record held by Vaughn Cross '13, with 186, in Monarchs history.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. LaGrange, 34-17
Records: Methodist 3-2 (3-1 USA South), LaGrange 1-4 (1-2)
Location: Monarch Stadium; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Monarchs had the ball at the Panthers 26-yard line, after a force fumble & recovery by Bryce Jordan. The drive stalled out to force a Methodist field goal. The kick by Trevor Hargett was good from 37 yards to give them the first three points of the game.
- The next drive saw LaGrange back at their 35-yard line, on a 3rd-and 15. LJ Flint, of the Panthers, saved the drive with a catch and run of 63 yards before taken down at the Monarchs 2. They would score a touchdown on the next play to take a 7-3 lead.
- Methodist re-took the lead in the second quarter. Quarterback Brandon Bullins was able to find receiver AJ Cooper, in the end zone, for a 32-yard strike to go back up 10-7.
- With a little over four minutes until the half, the Monarchs had the ball on the LaGrange's 49-yard line. After a five-yard completion from Bullins to Cooper, a seven-yard pass from Bullins to McNeil, his record-breaking catch, converted the first down. Methodist got as close as the two yard line before having to a kick a 20-yard field goal, for a 13-7 halftime score.
- The Monarch defense started the second half in a big way. Freshman DeIrvin Grate picked off the Panthers quarterback Shedrick Lindsey, on the third play of the second half. Grate returned it for a touchdown to make the score 20-7.
- After a punt by LaGrange, Methodist began the drive on their own 8-yard line. With the first play of that drive, Bullins passed the ball to Kobe Praylow, at the 12-yard line, who then outran the Panthers defense for a 92-yard touchdown.
- Now down 27-7, LaGrange made a change a quarterback and put in Damione Ward. Ward used this opportunity to march the Panthers down the field for a touchdown.
- A Monarch fumble gave Ward and the LaGrange offense the ball back in their own territory. This time the drive did not result in a touchdown but a 32-yard field goal for a 27-17 score.
- Methodist scored the final touchdown, of the game, off a Bullins pass to Praylow, for their second touchdown connection.
MORE TO IT
- Praylow set new single game career-highs in yards and reception, respectively 135 & 92.
- The 92-yard pass by Bullins is a new career long in a game.
- The Monarchs outgained the Panthers in rushing (186 to 82) and total (415 to 322) yards, but LaGrange edged out Methodist in passing yards (240 to 229).
- The Monarchs converted on 43% (6 of 14) of their third downs, while the Panthers only converted 27% (3 of 11).
- DaQuinton Grady was the Monarchs leading tackler, with a team-high nine tackles. Both Grady and Roderic Christian Jr. each finished with seven solo tackles.
UP NEXT
- Methodist has a bye next week before traveling to Averett University the week after for a USA South game, on Oct. 23 at 6 PM.
- LaGrange will be home next week, Oct. 16, for a USA South date with Brevard College, at 4 PM.