Moniteau supporters optimistic for 2026 season despite opening loss
CHERRY TWP — The Moniteau Warriors ultimately lost their opening game of the 2026 season on Friday night, Aug. 28, but most Moniteau supporters expressed optimism for the season ahead prior to the game’s kickoff.
The Warriors are coming off a 2025 season in which they improved by three wins over the prior year’s winless campaign, and supporters believe this year’s Moniteau squad can continue the positive momentum.
“The team’s got a good future ahead of them,” said Jacob Rowley. “They’ve got a good chance this year. Better than the last couple of seasons.”
“I think they’re going to destroy every team,” said Moniteau junior Brandon Sproul. “They really improved last year. A lot of new people joined. It’s going to make the team better.”
Fans were encouraged that most of Moniteau’s top performing players from last season are returning for 2026. These include linebacker/guard Brian Hazlet, lineman Bryce Stamm and quarterback/safety Weston Cook.
“I have some pretty high expectations,” said Moniteau senior Sam Klixbull. “They've stuck with it and they've really brought the team together.”
Plenty of Karns City supporters also made the trip to Moniteau for the traditional rivalry game at Luciano Plesakov Stadium. Many of them expressed optimism the Gremlins could win another district championship.
“I think we're gonna win D9 again,” said Carley Conto, who is related to two Karns City assistant coaches, Edwin and Ethan Conto.
However, at least one fan was only cautiously optimistic about how far the Gremlins could go this year, given a large number of the top offensive performers from last year’s team have graduated. These include Hunter Scherer, Owen Heginbotham, Nathan Hess and Riley Hamilton.
“They lost a lot of their starting lineup from last year, so I don't know how well they're going to do,” said longtime Gremlins follower Doug Sheakley. “They looked pretty good in their scrimmage.”
The Warriors’ next test will come on the road against St. Marys High School in Elk County on Friday, Sept. 4. Meanwhile, the Gremlins will host Keystone High School from Clarion County in their home opener the same night.
