Box Score Trenton Shuler rushed for 55 yards on 16 carries, as the sophomore crossed the goal line and the 1,000-yard mark against Methodist.
Shuler punched in an 11-yard run behind Dalton Stephens with 3:23 to help the Scots to a 24-23 win over USA South foe Methodist. Shuler ends the 2014-15 season with 1,046 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.
The Scots — led by a nine-tackle effort by Gabe Johnson — held on late despite special teams bobbles early.
Methodist scored 14 points off of Maryville special teams' fumbles, but an interception by Devonte Belk and a fumble recovery by Joshua Krebs was enough for the Scots to hold on late in the fourth quarter.
Methodist marched 71 yards in 10 plays, scoring with only five seconds remaining in the game. An unsportsmanlike penalty was called for excessive celebration, moving the extra point back to the 25-yard line. Cody Ausherman's extra point sailed wide left, giving Maryville the one-point win.
After an interception by Jayvon McCullough and a 44-yard return, the Scots had to settle for a 28-yard field goal attempt during the first quarter. Wesley Bloeme's kick was blocked with 7:20 left in the first quarter.
Methodist took advantage on the next drive, after Wes Johnson recovered the Maryville fumble after a Monarch punt. Methodist marched 32 yards in four plays. Noah Shuler punched it in from 3 yards out with 4:29 left in the quarter to give the Monarchs a 7-0 lead.
Methodist used a facemask penalty and a 57-yard run by John Papillion for a first-and-goal at the Maryville 10-yard line. The Scots' defense stood tall, forcing a 25-yard field goal attempt by Ausherman. The kick hit the right upright, no good.
Maryville took advantage, marching 80 yards on four plays, as Nick Meyers hit Bryan Horton for a 67-yard pitch and catch. After a pass interference penalty, the Scots took over first-and-goal at the 2-yard line. Eddie Brock finished things up on the next play, as Maryville tied the game 7-all, with 13:21 left in the first half.
McCullough blocked quarterback Max Reber's pooch punt, as Joshua Clark returned the kick to the Methodist 17-yard line. A sideline penalty backed them up to the Methodist 33-yard line, before Evan Pittenger was able to find Jared Miller for his second touchdown of the season. With 6:21 left in the first half, Maryville led 14-7.
The Scots went to the half leading 14-7.
To open the second half, Maryville gave away the opening kickoff, as Shyheim Simpson forced a fumble and recovered it at the Maryville 27-yard line. Reber found Anthony Radke for a touchdown, but the Monarchs were called for an offensive pass interference call. Reber took it on his own feet, converting two swerving, cutting runs for to reach the Maryville 4-yard line. Papillion took the final 4 yards, as Methodist and Maryville were tied 14-all, with 11:57 left in the third quarter.
Ausherman gave Methodist the lead with 5:38 remaining in the third quarter, as he split the uprights. Ausherman's 34-yard kick gave the Monarchs a 17-14 lead.
Maryville was able to march to the Methodist 17-yard line after Mac Seagle gained 18 yards on a reverse, end around. Bloeme's 35-yard field goal attempt was blocked by James Atkinson — the Monarch's second block of the day.
Belk, however, slipped in front of Reber's pass, as the Scots took over at the Maryville 36-yard line. Shuler finished the seven-play 36-yard drive with an 11-yard run behind Dalton Stephens for the go-ahead touchdown. Maryville regained the lead, 21-17, with 3:23 remaining in the game. The Scots would not look back.
On Methodist's next drive, Reber was sacked by Jonathan Clark for a 3-yard loss, as Reber lost the football. Krebs fell on the loose ball, as Maryville took over at the Monarch's 35-yard line. The Scots used that push, as Bloeme was able to convert on a 32-yard field goal to give Maryville a 24-17 lead with 1:19 left in the game.
Methodist marched the field, however, as Reber found Dedric Bowman for a 31-yard touchdown with five seconds remaining. An unsportsmanlike penalty on a celebration moved the extra point back to the 25-yard line. The kick sailed wide.
Maryville finishes their season a 7-3, 6-2 in the USA South, as Methodist falls to
