Huntingdon football comes up short against Methodist

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Huntingdon Hawks knew Saturday's conference game with Methodist University was going to be a battle.

In its first season of competition in the USA South Athletic Conference, Huntingdon needed a win to remain in the race for the conference title. Squaring off in a matchup of two of the top offenses in Division III, the Hawks came up short 52-41.

"We didn't capitalize on all of our opportunities today and we couldn't consistently stop them," Huntingdon head football coach Mike Turk said. "We did some good things on offense, but it wasn't enough. Defensively, we had some good stops, but we couldn't get them off the field.

"Now, we have to bounce back and get ready for next week. The challenge to our seniors is to come back ready to work, ready to set the tone and make sure we're setting a good example for our younger guys. I expect us to do those things."

The Hawks (6-3, 4-2 USA South) will host conference leader Maryville (8-1, 6-0 USA South) at Samford Stadium on Nov. 16 at 1 p.m.

"It's tough right now, but we have to refocus and get ready for Maryville," senior quarterback and team captain Ryne Taylor said. "We're not playing for a conference title, but we're still going to prepare like always, play hard and try to end the season on a high note."

Huntingdon, which entered the game ranked No. 1 in Division III with 589.9 yards of total offense per game, put on another offensive show on Saturday. The Hawks rolled up 344 yards of offense in the first half and finished with 624 yards of offense. It was the fourth time the Hawks have surpassed 600 yards of offense this season and the seventh most yards in school history.

But Methodist (7-2, 5-1 USA South) turned in an equally impressive performance on offense. The Monarchs, who came into the game ranked 11th in Division III with 511.5 yards per game, generated 520 yards and scored a season-high 52 points.

Methodist quarterback Max Reber accounted for 418 of the Monarchs' yards. Reber, who leads Division III in total offense, passed for 292 yards and five touchdowns on a 20-of-28 day and rushed for 126 yards on 18 carries.

"Their quarterback is a tremendous football player," Turk said. "He has the ability to get the ball to his receivers or scramble. He's a very effective runner and passer and is one of those guys that can turn a play that looks like a loss into a big gain."

The two teams battled to a 21-21 tie at halftime before Methodist pulled ahead in the second half. Methodist took a two-touchdown lead three times in the second half, but the Hawks remained within striking distance.

Taylor Hughes connected with Jamichael Bibb on a 38-yard touchdown pass to help Huntingdon cut the Monarch's lead to 49-41 with 3:06 to play. Methodist kicked a 41-yard field goal with 38 seconds left to make it an 11-point game.

Huntingdon quarterbacks Ryne Taylor and Taylor Hughes combined for 481 yards and six touchdowns. The 481 passing yards are the second most in program history, 13 short of the record of 494.

Ryne Taylor was 17-of-28 for 252 yards and three touchdowns and Hughes was 13-of-22 for 229 yards and three touchdowns.

Junior receiver Brantley Carr finished with six catches for 202 yards and tied the Huntingdon record for touchdown receptions in a game with three. Only one Hawk, former receiver Cody Pearcy, has recorded more receiving yards in a game. Pearcy, the Hawks' career receptions leader, had 233 yards in a win over LaGrange in 2011.

Bibb finished with four receptions for 96 yards and two touchdowns and Taylor Belsterling had one touchdown reception.

Linebacker Zach Brownell turned in a career-high 13 tackles for the Hawks and linebacker John-David Swiger had 10 tackles.