Moniteau hit by air raid

September 26, 2020 Last Updated: September 26, 2020 09:00 AM High School

Moniteau running back J.D. Dessicino looks for an opening as Central Clarion's Hunter Craddock gives chase. The Warrors fell to the Wildcats, 46-14.

Central Clarion throws for 425 yards in win

CHERRY TWP — The deep ball marked the defeat to the Moniteau football team Friday.

Central Clarion passed for 425 yards and five touchdowns as the Wildcats downed the Warriors, 46-14.

“Really it came down to they were faster than us, and they have a quarterback who can throw the football,” said Moniteau head coach Bob Rottman. “It's that simple, they beat us deep.”

All 425 passing yards came from the arm of Central Clarion quarterback Calvin German, who connected with four different receivers for big numbers.

German connected most often with receiver Ethan Burford, who caught six passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns, including an 85-yard score early in the first quarter.

“They didn't get it in chunks, they got it in big plays,” Rottman said. “They beat us down the sidelines.”

Rottman said while the secondary struggled, the rest of the defense also had a hard time pressuring German, who he commended for his pocket pressence and strong arm.

Despite allowing so many long passes, the Warriors (1-2) were stout on run defense.

Central Clarion (2-1) ran the ball 13 times for 61 yards and two touchdowns.

The Warriors kept 12 of those rush attempts to five yards or less.

“Our run defense has been good all year,” Rottman said. “Traditionally, our run defense is good. Pass defense is traditionally where we struggle.”

On the offensive side of the ball, Moniteau had a string of plays that led to their two touchdowns. Running backs Mason Mershimer and J.D. Dessicino both had 16 carries and one touchdown each.

Dessicino gained 60 yards and Mershimer added 53 yards.

Early in the game, Moniteau quarterback David Stamm was effective in a short passing game, connecting four times for 55 yards.

But the senior also had two interceptions, both to Burford, who played cornerback on defense.

“I'm not dissatisfied with it, but we're not where we need to be either,” Rottman said.

Moniteau was also whistled for 70 yards of penalties, most of which came on offense, and the passing game lost consistency as the night wore on. Between Stamm and quarterback Brady Thompson, the Warriors completed just 7-of-21 passes for 77 yards.

“It's when we have our miscues. We don't get the right block. We don't go to the right spot. We have a holding penalty and get behind the chains,” Rottman said. “Those little things really hurt us today.”

Central Clarion 13 6 7 20 — 46Moniteau 0 7 7 0 — 14First QuarterCC —Calvin German pass 15 to Ethan Burford (Bea Verdill kick), 9:58CC —German pass 85 to Burford (2-point failed), 7:36Second QuarterM —JD Dessicino run 13 (David Stamm kick), 3:27CC — German pass 26 to Cutter Boggess (2-point failed), 1:09Third QuarterCC — German pass 60 to Burford (Verdill kick), 9:02CC — German pass 60 to Burford (Verdill kick), 9:02M — Mason Mershimer run 8 (Stamm kick), 2:39Fourth QuarterCC —Boggess run 1 (Verdill kick), 11:38CC —German pass 37 to Hunter Craddock (kick failed), 4:51CC —Boggess run 36 (Verdill kick), 2:16Individual StatisticsRushing:Central Clarion, Cutter Boggess 4-45, Breckin Rex 4-8, Cooper Shall 2-4, Noah Naser 1-3, Calvin German 3-1Moniteau, JD Dessicino 16-60, Mason Mershimer 16-53, Chaz McGuire 8-34, David Stamm 6-10, Brady Thompson 2-3Passing:Central Clarion, German 16-32-425-0Moniteau, Stamm 4-8-55-2, Thompson 3-13-22-0Receiving:Central Clarion, Ethan Burford 6-219, Christian Simko 4-76, Hunter Craddock 3-66, Cutter Boggess 3-64Moniteau, Mershimer 4-44, McGuire 3-33