Moniteau's Braydon Risinger (5) pulls down a pass on a two-point conversion in Moniteau's matchup with Union-AC Valley Friday night.

CHERRY TWP — A week after watching a 16-point lead evaporate in less than a minute in a painful loss, the Moniteau Warriors seized the lead in the third quarter for good and salted the game away in the fourth with two big defensive plays in an 18-8 home win over Union/A-C Valley Friday night.

“It feels good,” said Moniteau coach Jon McCune. “I asked the guys, ‘Do we feel good? Are we ready to go?’ And they said yes. And we finished there at the end.”

The Falcon Knights jumped out to an early eight-point lead, but Moniteau answered in the second quarter on a seven-yard run by Cody Wise. Warriors quarterback Chance Nagy then found Braydon Risinger with a pass for the two-point conversion to knot the game at 8-8 at the half.

Moniteau broke the game open in the third quarter.

After a long drive stalled, Steven Fawcett drilled a 22-yard field goal for an 11-8 Warrior lead.

Manny McLean then sunk the dagger with a 75-yard run on a sweep play for a touchdown to give Moniteau a 10-point lead late in the third quarter.

A full report will appear in the Butler Eagle.