FAYETTEVILLE, NC) — **Note: Complete boxscore from Saturday’s win over Methodist will be available on Sunday evening. All statistics in the release are unofficial totals.
The Pride football team held off Methodist for a 34-33 road victory on Saturday afternoon. With the win, Greensboro moves to 3-1 for the first time since 2003 and only the second time in school history. It is also the first time that The Pride have opened USA South play with a victory since beating Maryville in 2006.
Wide receiver Dexter Russell Jr. recorded the game winning score on a five-yard reception from quarterback Ryan Throndset with 14:55 remaining in the contest.
The Monarchs tacked on an 18-yard field goal by Cody Ausherman with 5:00 minutes left on the clock to pull to within 34-33. Methodist took the football to the Greensboro 39-yard line on its final possession but came up empty as a Max Reber pass intended for James Bevans fell incomplete on fourth down with 55 seconds to go.
The Pride racked up 524 yards of total offense while limiting the Monarchs to 320. Greensboro picked up 126 yards on the ground and 398 through the air.
The Monarchs opened the scoring on the day, as John Papillion scampered 53-yards on the third play of their opening possession.
Greensboro found the board on its second possession, as Throndset hooked up with wide receiver Antwan Thorpe for a 77-yard touchdown to cap a three-play drive.
A costly special team’s miscue on The Pride’s next offensive possession resulted in a safety that allowed the Monarchs to go ahead 9-7 with 5:37 remaining in the first quarter.
After forcing Methodist to go three-and-out on the following possession, Greensboro responded by moving the ball 80-yards in six plays for the score. Throndset connected with wide receiver Tyler Fearrington from 14-yards out to complete the drive with 53 seconds left on the first quarter clock. The extra point attempt was off the mark leaving the score 16-13 in favor of the Monarchs.
Both teams traded a pair of possessions to begin the second frame before Methodist took advantage of another big special teams play to extend the lead to 16-13. Malcom McCoy set-up the touchdown with a 66-yard punt return to the Greensboro ten-yard line. Three plays and a sack later, Reber found Vaughn Cross in the endzone for a 15-yard score with 8:16 left in the half.
The Monarchs went into the break clinging to a 16-13 lead. The third quarter saw both offenses find their rhythms, as the two teams combined for 28-points.
Cross found the endzone again for Methodist 20 seconds into the half, scoring on a 36-yard touchdown pass from Reber. His second touchdown reception of the day pushed the Monarchs lead to 23-13.
The Pride countered two possessions later, with a six-play, 45-yard drive that ended with a 26-yard touchdown toss from Throndset to Russell Jr.
John Eilum gave Greensboro its first lead on the next possession, plunging in from one-yard out to make the score 27-23 with 4:02 to go in the period.
The advantage was shortlived, as the Reber to Vaughn combination connected yet again, this time from 31-yards out. The score completed a six-play, 77-yard drive and pushed Methodist back on top 30-27.
The fourth quarter was highlighted by Russell Jr.’s game winning grab as The Pride held off The Monarchs down the stretch for the victory.
Warren Scott Jr. hit the century mark with 100 yards rushing on 18 carries. Throndset finished the game going 26-41 passing with school records for touchdowns with five and yards with 398 (**Note: Unofficial total yardage). Thorpe grabbed a game high nine receptions for 195 yards and a touchdown while Russell Jr. chipped in eight catches for 106 yards and two scores.
Defensively, Travis Welch tallied 11 tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack. Julian Cinotti added ten tackles and assisted on a tackle for loss. Overall, The Pride recovered two fumbles, made six sacks and ten tackles for loss.
Greensboro will return home on Saturday, October 6 to face Maryville. Game time is set for 1 p.m. at Grimsley High School’s Jamieson Stadium in Greensboro, NC.