LAGRANGE, Ga. Methodist University football team bounces back from last week to collect their first USA South Athletic Conference win on Saturday afternoon. The Monarchs defeated LaGrange College 38-28 in Callaway Stadium.
Once again senior Kobe Praylow finds himself breaking another Methodist program record. With his 230 receiving yards, Praylow holds the best performance for most receiving yards in a single game. The previous holders each had 219 yards with William Ray originally setting it back in 1998 and Pat Jacobs accomplishing the same feat in 2014.
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was Methodist who was able to get on the scoreboard first in this contest. After a couple of key passes from Brandon Bullins to Praylow and Mikhail Baldwin, along with some big runs by Keyshaun Pete, the Monarchs ran it into the end zone with Tyquan Eaddy from the Panthers' 2-yard line.
Lagrange's first possession did not go the way they scripted it as quarterback Shedrick Lindsey was intercepted by Methodist's safety DaQuinton Grady. That Monarch INT was short-lived though as Bullins threw his own interception two plays later.
On the ensuing drive by the Panthers, they got to midfield after a 26-yard pass play from Lindsey to Ajani Williams. On the very next play Ja'Quez Elliott stripped the ball away from Williams, after a short pass completion, and Damian Harris was the first player to get on top of the ball for Methodist.
Following the fumble, each side exchanged punts before LaGrange came up with the next big play. With about 30 seconds left in the first quarter, the Monarchs were forced to punt again but could not get it off cleanly as Emmanuel Vulue of the Panthers got his paws in there to block the kick. LaGrange recovered the ball and one play later Lindsey found De'Queze Fryer on a 17-yard pass for the touchdown.
The score was tied up at 7-7 at the start of the second quarter. On the first play of the new frame, Bullins connected with Praylow on a 73-yard touchdown pass to give Methodist the lead again, 14-7.
Before both squads went to the locker room for halftime, the Monarchs added an additional three points off a Trevor Hargett 26-yard field goal to take a 17-7 advantage.
The Panthers started the third quarter on a good note with a couple of big runs to them in Methodist territory but the drive stalled out and were forced to punt. The Monarchs would then march down the field and cap it off with a Floyd Eaddy 36-yard rushing touchdown. For Floyd Eaddy, that was the first touchdown of his collegiate career.
Lagrange would bring the deficit down to a two-score game, 24-14, on JayDon Cooper rushing touchdown from seven yards out. Methodist responded right back on Bullins second-longest touchdown pass of the game, a 56-yarder to Praylow, for a 31-14 score.
After a second Lindsey interception this time by Monarch's own Roderic Christian Jr., Methodist traveled down to the Panthers' 3-yard line and Pete was able to run it in for the final Monarch touchdown of the day, 38-14.
LaGrange did not go down quietly within the final 11 minutes of the game as they recorded two more touchdowns. Both were passing TDs by Lindsey to LJ Flint from 3- and 14-yards out.
MORE TO IT
The Monarchs nearly finished with 200 more total yards than the Panthers. Methodist concluded with 554 total (343 passing, 211 rushing) yards while LaGrange had 374 off of 226 passing and 148 rushing yards.
For the first time this season, Pete had a 100+ yard rushing performance, with 127. Making it the second time in his career he has done so.
Elliott led the Monarchs in tackles with eight, along with two tackles for loss and a forced fumble, from his defensive tackle position.
The Methodist defense has now recorded a turnover in their fifth straight game, dating back to last season. Their 12 total turnovers this season so far rank in the top 5 of all Division III football programs.
UP NEXT
Methodist are back in action next Saturday, October 1, when they host USA South newcomer Belhaven University in Monarch Stadium at 1 PM.
Story courtesy of Methodist Sports Information
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