CHERRY TWP - Moniteau's bid for an unbeaten high school football season ran into a steamroller Friday night.

Visiting Linsly (W.Va.) rolled up 404 yards in total offense (312 rushing and 92 passing) and scored on six of its first seven possessions en route to a 39-14 victory.

"We played well," Linsly head coach Terry Depew understated after his team improved its record to 5-0. "I was real pleased with our effort."

Depew referred to Moniteau (4-1) as "the second-best team we've faced this season.

"And they are only second because they are not as big and strong as the team we faced last week (Harrison Central of Ohio).

"We played a very good football team tonight," Depew continued. "There's a lot of talent on that team and, if we hadn't played well early and gotten up on them like we did, we would have been in for a fight."

Moniteau head coach Steve Wilson took the loss in stride.

"Linsly is very solid everywhere. They are as good a team as we will see this year," he said.

"You don't get better by beating teams 39-0, so I think this game will make us a better team down the road.

"I saw a lot of good things from a lot of kids, especially in the second half," Wilson added. "I wanted to see us come out at halftime, move the ball and battle to the last whistle, and that's what we did. I was happy to see that."

Moniteau gained 159 yards in the second half, 144 of which came on its two scoring drives.

Adam Cousins scored on runs of 2 and 5 yards to cap the drives, which covered 76 and 68 yards, respectively. But it was clearly too little and too late.

The visiting Cadets marched 54, 62, 93 and 57 yards on their first four offensive possessions in the first half and lounged upon a 29-0 cushion at intermission.

Linsly outgained Moniteau by a 276-100 total yardage advantage in the opening two quarters.

The guests' fifth score came on one play, a 52-yard touchdown sprint by Tony Walls on the first play from scrimmage in the second half.

Walls finished the game with 173 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries.

The sixth and final Cadet drive covered 65 yards and gave the guests a 39-0 lead with 5:44 left in the third period.

Linsly quarterback Jason Pyles was very thrifty with his passing as he completed 5 of 7 attempts for 92 yards and two TDs. He also ran for a score.

Moniteau was paced by Matt Schandelmeier's 130 yards on 18 carries. He had 91 of those yards on 12 second-half totes.

The Warriors make the short trip south to backyard rival Karns City for a Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference contest next Friday.