GREENSBORO, N.C. Methodist football traveled to Guilford College on Saturday night for a non-conference matchup at the Armfield Athletic Center. After a weather-delayed second half, the Monarchs mounted a late comeback attempt but came up just short, falling 20–17 to the Quakers.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Guilford def. Methodist, 20–17
Records: Methodist 0-2, Guilford 1-1
Location: Armfield Athletic Center; Greensboro, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Methodist opened the game on offense and put together a promising first possession. Senior running back Chris Clark picked up a first down on the opening series before sophomore quarterback Asa Windham connected with junior wide receiver Colin Fay for a 44-yard completion, moving the Monarchs to the Guilford 17-yard line. The drive eventually stalled, and a 35-yard field goal attempt went wide right.
- Guilford wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. On the Quakers' first offensive play, quarterback Tristan Gabrels connected with Shane Shapiro on a short completion, but Shapiro broke multiple tackles and raced 70 yards for an 80-yard touchdown to give Guilford a 7–0 lead.
- After the teams traded punts, Methodist answered with a big play of its own. Following a pair of runs that moved the Monarchs to the Guilford 45-yard line, Windham found junior wide receiver Tanner Zill, who turned the completion into a 45-yard touchdown. The score marked Methodist's first touchdown of the 2026 season and tied the game at 7–7.
- The Quakers regained the lead on the opening play of the second quarter when Maurice Andrews took a handoff and raced 37 yards down the right side for a touchdown, putting Guilford ahead 14–7.
- Methodist's defense responded with points of its own. Senior Michael Morrison and junior Carlos Mendez combined to bring down the Guilford ball carrier in the end zone for a safety, cutting the deficit to 14–9 with just over five minutes remaining in the first half.
- The score remained unchanged heading into halftime, but the weather quickly became a factor after the break as heavy rain moved into Greensboro. Two weather delays prolonged the second half, and neither team was able to generate much offensive momentum during the third quarter.
- Guilford needed just one play to extend its advantage early in the fourth quarter. Running back Evan Sullivan broke through the middle of the Methodist defense and raced 72 yards for a touchdown. The Monarchs blocked the ensuing extra point, keeping the score at 20–9.
- Following unsuccessful drives by both teams, Methodist put together its most important possession of the night. The Monarchs marched 91 yards on 10 plays, with Windham connecting with freshman Phernete Workman for 17 yards and junior Tyrone Atkinson Jr. for 31 yards to move into Quaker territory.
- Three plays later, Windham found senior Toby Cates Jr. for a 28-yard touchdown, bringing Methodist within 20–15. The Monarchs elected to go for two, and Atkinson Jr. hauled in the conversion to make it a three-point game at 20–17.
- Methodist attempted an onside kick but was unable to recover. The Monarch defense then forced a Guilford punt to give the offense one final opportunity. However, the Monarchs were unable to move into field-goal range before the clock expired.
MORE TO IT
- Windham turned in the best passing performance of his Methodist career, completing a career-high 13 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns. It was his first multi-touchdown game as a Monarch.
- Clark narrowly missed his first 100-yard rushing performance, finishing with 96 yards on the ground.
- Fay led all Methodist receivers with 58 yards, while Cates Jr. and Zill each recorded their first collegiate touchdown receptions.
- Defensively, sophomore Wesley Folsom recorded a career-high 10 tackles, including six solo stops. Seniors Bryan Graham and Anthony Smith each intercepted a pass, marking the first collegiate interceptions for both Monarchs.
UP NEXT
Methodist enters its bye week before returning to action on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Apprentice School. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 PM.
