Conference Champs: Huntingdon beats Methodist for fifth conference title in six years

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  – In a season of uncertainty, the Huntingdon football team persevered to win the USA South Athletic Conference championship.

The Hawks beat Methodist 31-20 on Saturday to win their second straight conference title and their fifth USA South title in the past six seasons.

Tied 14-14 at halftime, Huntingdon outscored the Monarchs 17-6 in the second half. Jalen Pugh scored on a 1-yard run in the third quarter and Cole Starr made a 26-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter before quarterback Landon Cotney scored his third and final touchdown of the game.

Cotney's 26-yard touchdown run with 2:12 remaining put Huntingdon in front 31-14.

Records: Huntingdon (3-1); Methodist (4-1)

Notable Performances

Offense: The Hawks turned to their ground game to win the conference title and set three program records in the process.

Huntingdon ran the ball a program-record 73 times on Saturday and gained 384 yards, the ninth most rushing yards in program history. Running backs Kahari McReynolds and Jalen Pugh and quarterback Landon Cotney combined to gain 386 yards on 71 attempts.

McReynolds gained 157 yards on a program record 38 carries, Cotney gained 118 yards on 14 carries and Pugh had 111 yards on 19 carries. This was the first time in Huntingdon history that three Hawks rushed for more than 100 yards in the same game.

Defense: The Huntingdon defense clamped down in the final two quarters. After allowing 254 yards of offense in the first half, Huntingdon held Methodist to 44 yards on 16 plays in the third quarter and 84 yards on 23 plays in the fourth quarter.

Linebacker Casey Peppers anchored the defense on Saturday with 12 tackles, 1½ sacks, 2½ tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one recovered fumble and two quarterback hurries. This season, Peppers tied for the conference lead in tackles (40) and led the USA South in tackles per game (10), forced fumbles (2) and recovered fumbles (2).

Stat Leaders

Offense

Passing: Landon Cotney: 4/12 for 76 yards, 1 INT

Receiving: Sebastian Verger: 1 reception for 43 yards

Rushing: Kahari McReynolds: 38 rushes for 157 yards

               Landon Cotney: 14 rushes for 118 yards, 3 TDs

               Jalen Pugh: 19 rushes for 111 yards, 1 TD

Kicking:  Cole Starr 1/1 field goals (made 25 yards); 4/4 PATs

Punting:  Zach Johnson: 5 punts, 180 yards, 36.0 average (long of 46 yards)

Defensive Leaders

Tackles: Casey Peppers (12), Brian Bradford (5)

Sacks: Casey Peppers (1.5), Tucker Spence (1), Gavin Walker (1), Braxton Dyer (0.5)               

Tackles For Loss: Casey Peppers (2.5)

Forced Fumbles: Casey Peppers (1)

Recovered Fumbles: Casey Peppers (1)

Passes Broken Up: Ke'Darius Thornton (2)

QB Hurries: Casey Peppers (2), Braxton Dyer (2)