Moniteau defense shines in 42-0 win
CHERRY TWP — Nobody likes to be called a loser. The Warriors haven't been one all season.
Moniteau put up its first shutout of the season, beating the Keystone Panthers 42-0 on Friday night.
“Good team win,” Moniteau coach Jeff Campbell said. “I thought the defense played well ... got the shutout and kept us in the game.”
The Warriors (8-0) racked up 377 total yards, with quarterback Kyle Armagost running for 104 yards and adding 137 through the air.
Keystone (2-6) started the game's first drive, but it didn't last long when it lost its first of two fumbles.
Armagost took advantage by scoring first with a 39-yard pass to Ethan Pry and ran for two more points with 7:32 left in the half.
Armagost ran for a one-yard touchdown and Tyler DiMaria added one with the extra point late in the second quarter, making the score 15-0 going into halftime.
Even though the Warriors were winning, Campbell didn't think they played a good first half.
Dustin Geagan, who had 91 total rushing yards on 16 carries, only had six yards in the first half.
“I think we were very, very sloppy in the first half,” Moniteau coach Jeff Campbell said. “Keystone came out fired up and they played us hard.
“We can't wait until halftime to fix this stuff,” Campbell said. “We have to fix it on the field, in the first quarter.”
The halftime fixes worked.
Moniteau looked like its old self and blew over the Panthers in the second half.
Geagan showed his speed by running 35 yards to the end zone with 9:29 left in the third.
Pry got back into the action by catching a 30-yard pass from Armagost with 2:19 to play in the third quarter. Moniteau added to its lead in the last quarter.
Wide receiver Joey Deal caught Armagost's third passing TD of the night.
And defensive lineman Justin Smith celebrated with his teammates after scoring on a 2-yard fumble return to end the scoring.
Keystone couldn't run against the Warriors defense, finishing with minus 17 yards rushing.
Moniteau's last game before the playoffs is against Kennedy Catholic next Friday.
“My goal isn't just the perfect season,” Campbell said. “We need to keep getting better.”
