BREVARD, N.C. The Methodist University football team traveled to Brevard College on Saturday afternoon for its final road game of the 2026 season, facing the Tornados in a USA South Conference matchup at Ives-Lemel Family Field. Brevard used a strong rushing attack to pull away, handing the Monarchs a 48–3 defeat.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Brevard def. Methodist, 48–3
Records: Methodist 1–8 (0–6 USA South), Brevard 7–2 (4–2 USA South)
Location: Ives-Lemel Family Field; Brevard, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Brevard opened the scoring midway through the first quarter, converting a 63-yard field goal with 8:21 remaining to take a 3–0 lead. The Tornados added to their advantage on their next scoring opportunity, putting together an eight-play, 43-yard drive that ended with King Faison finding the end zone on a four-yard touchdown run with three seconds left in the quarter. The successful extra point pushed the home team's lead to 10–0.
- Methodist looked to respond in the second quarter, but Brevard continued to apply pressure on both sides of the ball. The Tornados extended their lead with a seven-play, 80-yard drive, capped by a 30-yard touchdown reception from Michael Pannell. Christian Conley's pass and Spencer Crum's extra point made it a 17–0 contest with 6:07 remaining in the half.
- The Monarchs eventually broke through on the scoreboard late in the second quarter. Methodist put together a five-play, 13-yard drive, with junior kicker Ethan Emery converting a 22-yard field goal with 32 seconds remaining. The kick put the Monarchs on the board, sending the teams into halftime with Brevard leading 17–3.
- The Tornados regained control early in the second half. After forcing a Methodist punt, Brevard took over at the Monarchs' three-yard line following a 45-yard punt return by Gavin Pegram. Christian Conley finished the short drive with a one-yard touchdown run at the 7:49 mark, extending the lead to 24–3.
- Brevard added another touchdown less than two minutes later, this time on the defensive side. Will Hadden III intercepted a pass from sophomore quarterback Asa Windham and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown. The extra point pushed the Tornados' advantage to 31–3 with 6:06 remaining in the third quarter.
- The home team continued its scoring surge on the ensuing possession, needing just one play to find the end zone. Favian Williford broke free for a 65-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 38–3 with 3:06 left in the period.
- Brevard added to its advantage early in the fourth quarter, capping a 12-play, 65-yard drive with a 22-yard field goal from Crum at the 7:56 mark. The Tornados then capitalized on a Methodist fumble, as DJ Stevenson recovered the ball and returned it 28 yards to the Monarchs' four-yard line. King Faison moved the ball to the one before Williford punched it in for his second touchdown of the afternoon. The successful extra point brought the score to its final margin of 48–3 with 6:17 remaining.
MORE TO IT
- Windham completed 15 of 23 passes for 111 yards, while senior running back Chris Clark led the ground game with 20 yards on nine carries.
- Junior wide receiver Tyrone Atkinson and senior wide receiver Toby Cates Jr. each recorded three receptions. Atkinson finished with 26 receiving yards, while Cates Jr. added 24. Junior wide receiver Jon Gonyer also contributed a 26-yard reception.
- Defensively, senior linebacker Anthony Smith led the Monarchs with nine tackles, including four solo stops. Freshman safety Ethan Nicholls followed with eight tackles, while sophomore linebacker Fahron Fuller and sophomore linebacker Wesley Folsom each recorded four.
- Senior defensive back Michael Morrison provided one of Methodist's defensive highlights, intercepting a Brevard pass and returning it 61 yards. The Monarchs also recorded two tackles for loss and forced one turnover.
- Freshman punter Luke Slagel handled the majority of Methodist's special-teams work, averaging 43.6 yards on eight punts, including a career long of 79 yards. His career-best also matches a single-game program record for longest punt.
UP NEXT
Methodist heads back to Monarch Stadium for its regular season finale, hosting Greensboro College for a 6 PM kickoff. The contest will also serve as Senior Night for the Monarchs.
