Methodist picked up its first victory of the 2025 season on Saturday, building a 20-0 halftime lead and holding off a furious comeback from The Apprentice School to win 20-19 inside Monarch Stadium.
The Monarchs (1-2) leaned on a fast start from sophomore quarterback Ty Little, who accounted for three touchdowns — two on short sneaks and one through the air. Methodist’s defense forced four turnovers, including three interceptions, to keep the Builders (1-3) at bay.
Key Storylines
- Fast Start: Methodist scored on its first two drives and three of its first-half series, highlighted by a four-yard touchdown pass from Little to Tyrone Atkinson Jr. and two QB sneaks.
- Defense Delivers: Christian Ellington forced a first-quarter fumble, while Jaron Foreman, Jonathan Adams and Jasaia Young each snagged interceptions.
- Hanging On: Apprentice rallied with three second-half touchdowns, including a 72-yard strike in the third quarter, and pulled within one point with 18 seconds left. Methodist’s defense stuffed a two-point conversion attempt to preserve the win.
- Balanced Effort: The Monarchs posted 323 total yards (232 passing, 91 rushing) and controlled the ball for more than 32 minutes.
- Losing Streak No More: Methodist snapped a nine-game losing skid that dated back to last season. The Monarchs’ most recent defeat had been a 17-14 triumph over visiting Greensboro on Sept. 21, 2024. Methodist nearly beat Guilford in its home opener two weeks ago before falling 42-40.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
- 8:13 – MU: Tyrone Atkinson 4-yd pass from Ty Little (Schoene kick) — Methodist 7-0
2nd Quarter
- 12:44 – MU: Little 1-yd run (kick failed) — Methodist 13-0
- 0:26 – MU: Little 1-yd run (Schoene kick) — Methodist 20-0
3rd Quarter
- 9:23 – APP: Isaiah Townsend 72-yd pass from Kendall Hunt (kick failed) — Methodist 20-6
4th Quarter
- 10:37 – APP: T.K. Petty 29-yd pass from Hunt (kick good) — Methodist 20-13
- 0:18 – APP: Petty 3-yd pass from Hunt (2-pt try failed) — Methodist 20-19
Methodist By the Numbers
- Passing: Ty Little 17-31, 232 yds, 1 TD
- Rushing: CJ Ferguson 16 carries, 53 yds; Little 2 rush TDs
- Receiving: Ty Benton 3 rec., 61 yds; Colin Fay 5 rec., 56 yds
- Defense: Anthony Smith 7 tackles; Ellington 4 tackles, 2 TFL, sack, FF, FR; 3 team interceptions
Team Stats
- Methodist 323 total yds; Apprentice 332
- Methodist 20 first downs; Apprentice 16
- Methodist 32:42 TOP; Apprentice 27:18
- Turnovers: Apprentice 4, Methodist 0
What’s Next
Methodist opens USA South play on the road next Saturday, Oct. 4, against Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CST. The Monarchs have not won on the road since beat Southern Virginia 36-23 on Oct. 29, 2022.
