CHERRY TWP — Run the ball. Stop the pass.

Moniteau used that philosophy in defeating District 9 opponent Keystone, 36-12, Friday night at home.

The win also gave the Warriors (6-4) a boost heading into the first game of the district playoffs next week.

“It feels great,” said Moniteau coach Bob Rottman. “This is what we knew this group of kids was capable of doing.”

Moniteau's running game was led by running back Cody Wise, who ran for 153 yards on 15 carries. Wise had four double-digit carries and a fifth that was called back due to a penalty. His longest run was 65 yards.

“It felt good,” Wise said. “It always feels good when you have a long run. It makes the team feel better about themselves and that they're doing something right.”

Wise was accompanied by seven other Warrior runners who combined to produce 278 rushing yards.

Wise said the blockers on the line and in the backfield made the rushing game successful.

“Mostly it was our line and Nick (Martino) lead-blocking for us,” Wise said. “The line did an amazing job this year, and hopefully they continue to do what they've been doing.”

Keystone coach Ryan Smith said his team tried to prepare for Wise, who has been productive all year.

“We watched him on tape bruising people the last few games. He's a hard runner,” Smith said. “We were basically trying to overload the one side based upon the formation that they were in. They were pretty consistent when they ran the ball.”

Smith said Moniteau's linemen outperformed his expectations.

“(Rottman) has to give credit to his offensive line because they were blowing my defensive line off the ball,” he said. “We weren't there to make the tackles at times because of their line making huge holes.”

Smith said it has been a tough season for Keystone (3-7), and they were not full-strength entering the game. He said was proud of his team for showing heart and playing hard against a good opponent.

“We played hard the whole entire game,” Smith said. “We had a lot of guys out injured tonight, a lot of seniors, but our effort was good and that's what I wanted to see leading into next year.”

Rottman said his secondary also produced one of their best performances of the season and showed vast improvement.

“As much as teams have been throwing on us all year, I would expect them to get better,” Rottman said. “Practice makes perfect.”

The Warriors held Keystone quarterback Isaak Jones to five completions on 22 attempts. Jones finished with 65 passing yards and one touchdown, but the Warriors also snagged three interceptions.

“They're getting better,” Rottman said. “We're never going to be able to be perfect, but in the pursuit of perfection, maybe we can achieve excellence.”

Wise said if the team can perform as well in the playoffs as they did Friday night, the Warriors will be chasing a district title.

“Hopefully we can finish the season as D-9 champs, and continue on,” Wise said.

Rottman said Friday night, which was senior night and a the last home game for many Warriors, shows they are ready for the intensity and pressures of playoff football.

“That group of seniors has been playing football together since youth football,” Rottman said. “Emotions, I like it because it shows it means something to them.”

Rottman said he is excited to enter the playoffs with this group of Warriors.

“I'm happy and proud of every single one of them. I wouldn't want another group of kids to start with here,” he said. “They've been tremendous.”

He said all the ingredients are there for a successful playoff run.

“If they continue to play like they have been and play up to their potential, it's going to be hard to stop these guys in the playoffs,” Rottman said. “All year the offensive line has been playing great.”

Keystone 16 7 13 0 — 36

Moniteau 0 6 0 6 — 12

First Quarter

M — Chance Nagy run 5 (Cody Wise run), 5:52

M — Wise run 10 (Wise run), 1:34

Second Quarter

M — JD Dessicino run 3 (Wise kick), 5:34

K — Isaak Jones pass 14 to Hunter Langharst (Jones pass incomplete), 1:27

Third Quarter

M — Nick Martino run 7 (Wise kick), 8:03

M — 6 run 14 (kick failed), 1:48

Fourth Quarter

K — Jayden Blazosky run 23 (Jones pass incomplete), 3:43

Individual Statistics

Rushing:Keystone, Nick Weaver 8-39, Jayden Blazosky 3-35, Taylar Altman 6-12, Isaak Jones 4-11, Todd Brazier 1-0, Tim Baughman 2-(-3), Logan Sell 1-(-3), Keenan Heeter 1-(-3), Hunter Langharst 1-(-4). Moniteau, Cody Wise 14-151, Trent Kelly 7-46, Nick Martino 7-27, Chance Nagy 7-21, Austin Yeager 1-20, Mason Mershimer 2-8, JD Dessicino 1-2, Brady Thompson 3-(-1).

Passing:Keystone, Jones 5-22-65-3. Moniteau, Thompson 2-3-25-0, Nagy 0-1-0-0.

Receiving:Keystone, Blazosky 2-22, Sell 1-19, Hunter Langharst 1-14, Brandan Kapp 1-10. Moniteau, Nagy 1-19, Wise 1-6.