Moniteau’s return to District 9 football playoffs cut short by overwhelming Central Clarion
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Moniteau's Weston Cook (20) passes the ball against Central Clarion's defense in the District 9 Class 2A football semifinal Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Clarion University. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau's Jordan Peatross powers through a Central Clarion player in the District 9 Class 2A football semifinal Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Clarion University. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau's Alden Kern (13) runs the ball against Central Clarion in the District 9 Class 2A football semifinal Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Clarion University. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau's Weston Cook (20) breaks up a Central Clarion pass in the District 9 Class 2A football semifinal Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Clarion University. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau's Liam Allison (5) catches a pass against Central Clarion in the District 9 Class 2A football semifinal Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Clarion University. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau's cheerleaders brave the cold to perform in the District 9 Class 2A football semifinal Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Clarion University. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau's Kayne Scott (21) attempts a pass off a fake punt against Central Clarion in the District 9 Class 2A football semifinal Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Clarion University. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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A Central Clarion player strips the ball from Moniteau's Hunter Wright (18) in the District 9 Class 2A football semifinal Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Clarion University. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau's Aiden Kern (13) attempts to catch a pass against Central Clarion in the District 9 Class 2A football semifinal Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Clarion University. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau's Weston Cook (20) attempts a pass while under pressure from Central Clarion in the District 9 Class 2A football semifinal Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Clarion University. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau"s Weston Cook (20) attempts to stop a Central Clarion runner in the District 9 Class 2A football semifinal Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Clarion University. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau's cheerleaders perfom at halftime in the District 9 Class 2A football semifinal Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Clarion University. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagler
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Moniteau 's band dressed up for Halloween in the District 9 Class 2A football semifinal Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Clarion University. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau 's band dressed up for Halloween in the District 9 Class 2A football semifinal Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Clarion University. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau's players sing during the national anthem in the District 9 Class 2A football semifinal Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Clarion University. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau 's band dressed up for Halloween in the District 9 Class 2A football semifinal Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Clarion University. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau 's band dressed up for Halloween in the District 9 Class 2A football semifinal Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Clarion University. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau 's band dressed up for Halloween in the District 9 Class 2A football semifinal Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Clarion University. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau 's band dressed up for Halloween in the District 9 Class 2A football semifinal Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Clarion University. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Moniteau 's band dressed up for Halloween in the District 9 Class 2A football semifinal Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, at Clarion University. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
CLARION — Moniteau football did not hit rock bottom overnight. Likewise, emerging from that predicament was not going to be a quick fix.
It’s an ongoing task, and getting back to postseason play this year was absolutely another step forward.
But the game itself offered few positives. Playing in their first playoff game in eight years, the Warriors were overmatched against Central Clarion, falling 73-8 to the Wildcats in a District 9 Class 2A semifinal Friday at Clarion University’s Memorial Stadium.
“We tried to keep things loose in practice this week,” Moniteau head coach Clay Kohlmeyer said. “We told the players that nobody expects us to win, so just go out and have fun.”
“There was definitely a different feel to practice this week, and we knew it was do or die,” said Bryan Hazlet, a lineman who missed the second half with a knee injury. “But once we started playing tonight, it was another game.”
The Wildcats (6-4), who will play Karns City for the district championship next week at a time, date and site to be determined, feature a plethora of offensive weapons.
Central Clarion quarterback Carter Hindman showed his range, going deep on a number of occasions, and finished the game with 399 passing yards and four touchdowns.
Running back Ethan Rex rushed for 112 yards and three scores on just nine carries.
“We were hoping to bend but not break on defense,” Kohlmeyer said. “Don’t let them get behind us, but it didn’t work out well.”
It was a pace the Warriors (4-6), who gained 170 yards of offense, simply could not match.
The Wildcats led 22-0 after one quarter and had built a 51-0 lead by halftime.
“Some of the players got down, but our team leaders told them to stay in it, that we’re working for something beyond tonight,” Kohlmeyer said. “This showed us what it takes to compete in the playoffs.”
Landon Czepiel scored for Moniteau on a short scoring run in the final minute. Carter Knight added a two-point conversion run.
Moniteau’s previous postseason appearance came in 2018 and was followed by a six-year stretch that saw the program win nine total games. In 2024, the Warriors lost all 10 games, including a forfeit defeat due to a depleted roster.
Kohlmeyer, a former star quarterback for Moniteau, took over as head coach, and the team won three games a year ago before winning four this season.
Moniteau has now improved its win total in back-to-back years, and though it yielded a lopsided loss, this year’s playoff appearance can serve as a building block.
“I know it didn’t show tonight, but this season was a success,” Hazlet, a junior, said. “I’m glad we got here, and the bond we formed with the seniors is something I will remember.”
Moniteau 0 0 0 8 — 8
Central Clarion 22 29 14 8 — 73
First Quarter
CC — Ethan Rex 14 run (Martin Ormeno kick), 7:38
CC — Dylan Smail 25 pass from Carter Hindman (Hindman run), 5:15
CC — Jackson Mravintz 21 pass from Hindman (Ormeno kick), 4:09
Second Quarter
CC — Brody Beggs 10 pass from Hindman (Rex run), 9:56
CC — Rex 24 pass from Hindman (Ormeno kick), 8:41
CC — Rex 23 run (Ormeno kick), 5:40
CC — Rex 1 run (Ormeno kick), 2:15
Third Quarter
CC — Beggs 57 pass from Hindman (Ormeno kick), 9:28
CC — Beggs 27 run (Ormeno kick), 3:17
Fourth Quarter
CC — Ty Hooks 1 run (Kolen Kemmer pass from Brady Clinger), 8:49
M — Landon Czepiel 2 run (Carter Knight run), :55
Individual Statistics
Rushing: Moniteau, Liam Allison 4-0, Aiden Kern 2-(-4), Aidan Shakley 7-25, Kayne Scott 3-0, Weston Cook 2-0, Jordan Peatross 6-17, Carter Knight 3-12, Landon Czepiel 1-2. Central Clarion, Brody Beggs 3-37, Ethan Rex 9-112, Carter Hindman 2-10, Zach Raymond 1-4, Ty Hooks 4-56, Kolen Kemmer 1-9, Ben Standfest 1-7
Passing: Moniteau, Weston Cook 5-18-84-4, Kayne Scott 1-2-34-0. Central Clarion, Carter Hindman 20-31-399-0.
Receiving: Moniteau, Jordan Peatross 1-26, Hunter Wright 1-34, Liam Allison 2-47, Ethan Fielding 1-5, Aiden Kern 1-6. Central Clarion, Jackson Mravintz 4-63, Brody Beggs 6-130, Dylan Smail 8-154, Ethan Rex 2-52.
