Moniteau football 2026 preview: What to watch, 3 things to know and schedule
Moniteau football was in dire need of confidence that was stripped from the Warriors after winning a combined four games between 2021-24.
Three wins last season restored a level of pride and hope in the program. What the Warriors do with it now depends on players who are eager to keep the team trending in the right direction.
“Now that we have those wins under our belt, our goal is to (get to .500) and make the playoffs,” said Bryce Stamm, a returning starter on the offensive and defensive line. “We have a good team this year, and I definitely think we can do it. We're all focused on getting better.”
The Warriors allowed just 21 combined points in their three victories last year (against Coudersport, Bucktail and Union City) but gave up an average of 49.8 points in seven defeats.
“We were in the right place to make a lot of tackles last year, but our guys just weren't sure of themselves,” Moniteau coach Clay Kohlmeyer said. “We expect our defense to play with more confidence this season, a lot less second-guessing.”
Carter Knight is a returning starter at inside linebacker. Joining Knight as returning starters in the 3-4 scheme are Stamm at defensive tackle; Bryan Hazlet at inside linebacker, Aiden Shakely and Kane Scott at outside linebacker; and Weston Cook, Aiden Kern and Liam Allison (three INTs last year) in the secondary.
“We were thinking way too much last season,” Knight said. “We're a physical group, worked on things through summer workouts, and we just need to get ball carriers down. Doesn't matter how we do it, just get them on the ground.
“We have a lot of audibles in place that can help the defensive line, really the entire defense.”
Hazlet also starts on the offensive line but prefers playing linebacker, which he equated to being the QB of the defense, because “you’re giving the hit instead of taking the hit,” he said.
And it's the defensive side of the ball that gives Hazlet the best chance to experience something many skill players take for granted.
“I've picked balls, recovered fumbles and have come so close to taking it in (to the end zone), but have not scored,” he said. “I want to score a touchdown.”
1. Vying for the ball: Moniteau's stable of skill players are led by quarterback Weston Cook, who as a sophomore last year passed for 944 yards with 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
With an experienced offensive line providing the blocks, the Warriors hope to make the most of a playbook that's been expanded from mostly Power-I to now include West Coast concepts and more.
Liam Allison and Jordan Peatross will both get opportunities in the running game. Though a first-year varsity player, Peatross appears capable of making an impact.
“Jordan is strong and dominant, and Liam is elusive,” Stamm said. “I think they're both just all-around good athletes.”
The receiving corps will include Aiden Kern, Ethan Fielding, Aiden Shakely and Rylan Hakeem, a junior who ran track for Butler High School before moving into the district.
Kane Scott and, at times, Peatross will be at tight end.
2. On the move again: For the third time in as many seasons, Moniteau will be in a different region in District 9. The Warriors have been placed in Region 4 along with Bucktail, Coudersport, Otto-Eldred and Smethport.
In 2024, Moniteau was in Region 1, which also included Karns City. Last year, it was Region 3 with the likes of Union/A-C Valley.
Despite no longer being region foes, the backyard rivalry with KC remains on the schedule. The teams will open the season against each other Aug. 28 at Moniteau's Luciano Plesakov Stadium.
The Warriors last defeated the Gremlins in 2018, which was the last season Moniteau qualified for the playoffs.
“I think this is our best shot to finally take it,” said Hazlet. “God, it's been years.”
3. Looking to the future: While Moniteau has the same number of varsity players this year (28) as it did in 2025, junior high players who signed up increased from 14 last year to 38.
There is the potential the varsity team could soon number in the 40s, a total not seen at Moniteau in a decade.
“I'm sure (the varsity team) winning a few games last year had something to do with that, but we were amazed at that number,” Kohlmeyer said of the boost in junior high players.
- Aug. 28, 7 — Karns City at Moniteau
- Sept. 4, 7 — Moniteau at St. Marys
- Sept. 11, 7 — Moniteau at Lakeview
- Sept. 18, 7 — Moniteau at Bucktail*
- Sept. 25, 7 — Coudersport at Moniteau*
- Oct. 2, 7 — Smethport at Moniteau*
- Oct. 9, 7 — Moniteau at Otto-Eldred*
- Oct. 16, 7 — Brookville at Moniteau
- Oct. 23, 7 — Moniteau at Keystone
- Oct. 30, 7 — Redbank Valley at Moniteau
*Region game
2025: 3-7
2024: 0-10
2023: 1-9
2022: 2-8
2021: 1-8
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Bryce Stamm attempts to stop Tyler Boring from getting past him during football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Bryce Stamm, left, attempts to stop Tyler Boring from getting past him during football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau head coach Clay Kohlmeyer, center, speaks to players during football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Liam Allison catches the ball during football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Liam Allison, center, catches the ball during football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau football players run practice drills during football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Jordan Peatross, right, drops a ball into a tire as Landon Czepiel attempts to stop him during football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau head coach Clay Kohlmeyer watches players practice during football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Jordan Peatross, left, drops a ball into a tire as Landon Czepiel attempts to stop him during football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Carter Knight, left, and Tyler Boring run a practice drill during football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Jordan Peatross catches the ball during football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Jordan Peatross, center, catches the ball during football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Landon Czepiel runs a drill during football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Carter Knight, left, and Bryce Stamm run a practice drill during football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Carter Knight, right, drives into a teammate during football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Tyler Boring, right, drives into a teammate during a drill as part of football practice, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at Moniteau High School. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau's Carter Knight (56), Bryce Stamm, back center, and Bryan Hazlet (52) create a celebration video during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau’s Carter Knight, center, answers a question from Butler Radio as Bryan Hazlet, left, and Bryce Stamm, right, listen during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau's Carter Knight (56), Bryce Stamm, back center, and Bryan Hazlet (52) create a celebration video during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau"s Carter Knight during media day. Thursday_ Aug, 6, _ 2026_ Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle.
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Moniteau"s Bryan Hazlet during media day. Thursday_ Aug, 6, _ 2026_ Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle.
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Moniteau's Bryce Stamm during media day. Thursday_ Aug, 6, _ 2026_ Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle.
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Moniteau's Bryan Hazlet (52), Bryce Stamm (64) and Carter Knight (56) during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau's Carter Knight (56), Bryce Stamm, back center, and Bryan Hazlet (52) pose with head coach Clay Kohlmeyer, center, during Butler Eagle Football Media Day on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Butler High School. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
