Running Wild
CHERRY TWP — The ground game won over the air assault Friday night.
The Moniteau football team (1-3) defeated Bradford (0-5) at home, 44-38, using its running game to produce 529 yards of offense.
Running back Matt Martino led the team in total yards and had the longest run of the game, a 78-yard dash that led to a third-quarter touchdown a few plays later. The drive started after a Bradford punt pinned the Warriors on their own 2 yard line.
“I knew we were backed up against the end zone, and I knew I had to push it and bring something to the table,” Martino said.
Martino and fellow running back Hunter Stalker combined for 53 carries and 452 yards. Martino forced his way through multiple defenders while Stalker spun and sped his way down the field.
“That's been the plan since camp is those two,” said Moniteau coach Bob Rottman. “Tonight the plan came together.”
Both Martino and Rottman said the line also did a great job at supporting the running game. Rottman said it felt good to have all of his starters on the line, which hasn't happened yet this season due to issues with COVID-19.
“I'm hoping this is what we can expect from now on up front,” Rottman said. “Having all these guys together makes a huge difference up front with the chemistry.”
While the Warriors dominated the game on the ground, their opponents threw early and often.
Bradford quarterback Elijah Fitton capitalized on connections with receiver Dalton Dixon, who had nine catches for 179 yards.
Fitton finished with 309 passing yards and 67 rushing yards. He had a hand in all five of the Owls' scores with four TD passes and a TD run.
“We played four quarters, and that's all you can ask for,” said Bradford coach Jeff Puglio. “I like the way they competed.”
Puglio said he felt the game was lost on the defensive side.“Defensively we were not ready for the physicality they showed us,” he said. “I put that on me. It's my job to get the defense ready, and we were not ready to go.”Moniteau's defense presented its own shakiness, particularly in the secondary.“We were still a little undisciplined in our zone coverage,” Rottman said. “Following a man across the middle instead of staying in our zone. That's mostly where our breakdowns were.”Rottman said their defensive showing also had a lot to do with the Fitton's talent.“He played a heck of a game,” he said. “He made plays happen that probably weren't there.”Still, the Warriors did seem more focused on defense in the second half with two interceptions and three of their five sacks coming during that time.“We got a couple turnovers when we needed them,” Rottman said. “We got the stops when we needed them.”Bradford 8 16 14 0 — 38Moniteau 8 22 8 6 — 44First QuarterM — Hunter Stalker 3 run, (Stalker run) 9:25B — Elijah Fitton 40 pass to Dalton Dixon, (Fitton pass to Dixon) 7:23Second QuarterM — Matt Martino 7 run (run failed) 11:27B — Fitton 24 pass to Lucas Laktash (Fitton pass to Jerid Wilmoth) 10:48M — Martino 7 run (Stalker run) 5:11B — Fitton 9 pass to Nate Girdlestone (Fitton pass to Dixon) 3:32M — David Dessicino 13 pass to Cooper Boozel (Dixon run) 0:30Third QuarterB — Fitton 72 pass to Dixon (Fitton pass to Dixon), 11:18M — Martino1 run (run failed) 6:47M — Dessicino 9 run (Martino run) 4:13Fourth QuarterB — Fitton 60 run (pass failed) 4:58Individual StatisticsRushing: Bradford, Elijah Fitton 7-67, Jerid Wilmoth 1-4, Nate Girdlestone 1-(-1) and Ashton Smith 1-(-2). Moniteau, Matt Martino 25-272, Hunter Stalker 28-180, David Dessicino 8-63, Caden Roxberry 4-14, Isaiah Thompson 1-0.Passing: Bradford, Fitton 19-31-309-2. Moniteau, Dessicino 1-1-13-0.Receiving: Bradford, Dalton Dixon 9-179, Lucas Laktash 4-69, Wilmoth 3-44, Girdleston 1-9, Troy Adkins 1-8, Smith 1-0. Moniteau, Cooper Boozel 1-13.
