Warriors pass character test
CHERRY TWP — A football matchup that began as a fierce battle of defense ended with teamwork, determination and heart as Moniteau overcame St.Marys, 12-7, Friday evening.
Despite gaining only 101 yards of total offense, the Warriors were able to capitalize on St.Marys miscues and turnovers in the third quarter.
"(Teamwork) is what made us a football team tonight,"said Warrior head coach Steve Wilson. "Our goal is to be able to win on all three phases: Offense, defense and special team play, and we were able to do that tonight."
Special teams play put Moniteau on top in the third quarter when Adam Cousins took off on a 32-yard punt return, giving the Warriors the ball on the St. Marys 18-yard line. Running back Clayton Drnek picked up 17 yards on the ensuing play, paving the way for Cousins to finish the job and put the Warriors up 10-7.
"It takes a lot of heart,"said Cousins, who carried a defender at least five yards up the field before he was brought down on the punt return. "I just try to keep my legs driving through and do the best I can so I don't let down the team."
Cousins' 32-yard return came after a Justin Castello sack and a five-yard penalty forced the Flying Dutchmen to punt on fourth-and-27. St.Marys was penalized a total of 20 yards in the second half.
"Penalties certainly hurt us and definitely stifled our offense in the second half," said Dutchmen head coach Joe Schlimm.
Besides driving their way through Dutchmen defenders, Cousins' legs also can take credit for three other Warriors points as the running back-linebacker-kicker was responsible for a 24-yard field goal, set up by a Josh Loos 40-yard interception return.
Defense was the true story for Moniteau Friday night.
Junior linebacker Aaron Randallwas able to wrap up St. Marys quarterback Bryan Dempsey twice behind the line of scrimmage, and sophomore linebacker Tyler Armagost sacked thequarterback in the end zone, giving his team its final two points near the end of the fourth quarter.
"We need to learn to protect our quarterback,"said Schlimm. "We can't have him beat up like that for the rest of the season."
"Halftime was really a gut check and we tweaked a couple of things on offense and our defense came back out and went to work,"Wilson said.
Moniteau's victory really came after a slow first half start as the Warriors racked up just 32 yards of offense to St.Marys' 111 yards.
"They came in with a good game plan,"Wilson said. "We had to make adjustments to stop their run.We put an extra guy on the line to cut off the offensive guard who was pulling on us."
The halftime tweaks proved successful as theDutchmen backfield, made up of fullback BrianTamburlin and halfback Todd Schatz, was held to only 29 yards in the second half.
Dempsey led the way for the Dutchmen, completing seven passes for 89 yards and a second-quarter touchdown on fourth and 13.
The Warriors will be back in action Friday as they host ACValley.
