CHERRY TWP — For the Moniteau football team, it all starts up front.

Senior defensive tackles James Parenti and Donovan Francois and senior defensive ends Noah McLean and Bobby Matthews have gobbled up the opposing offensive lines this season.

They hope to do the same when the Warriors (3-3) travel to Brockway (4-2) to take on the Rovers at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

“Noah McLean sets the edge and I'm not sure I've seen anybody do that as well as he does,” said Moniteau coach Bob Rottman. “Parenti leads our team in tackles for loss and Donovan is quick for his size. I don't think Donovan knows what he is still capable of. And Matthews, I don't know how many passes he's batted down at the line of scrimmage.”

Parenti does indeed lead Moniteau in tackles for loss with seven.

McLean leads the team with three sacks.

But those four stalwarts up front for Moniteau will have a challenge ahead of them again in Brockway.

Rover senior running back Tyler Serafini has already rushed for 664 yards and has four 100-yard games.

Senior quarterback Peter Downer has also been effective in the passing game for Brockway.

The Rovers started 4-0, but have since lost two straight — 20-7 to undefeated Ridgway and 34-13 to Bradford.

“I think we match up pretty well with Brockway,” Rottman said. “They do spread the field, but they are more balanced.”

The Warriors held Brookville in check for the most part last week in a 35-24 loss, but sophomore Robert Keth still managed to throw for 330 yards.

The big plays hurt Moniteau again.

“We cleaned some things up,” said Moniteau coach Bob Rottman. “Brookville never really stopped us. In the second half, penalties killed us a couple of times.”

Moniteau was hit with 115 yards in penalties.

“The penalties have me baffled at this point,” Rottman said. “I don't know if we've built a reputation or what, but most of them came in the fourth quarter.”

Moniteau also showed some diversity on offense.

Six players rushed for at least 30 yards as the Warriors are trying to take some of the onus off quarterback Chance Nagy and running backs Cody Wise and Nick Martino.

Those three are also key members of the defense.

Austin Yeager gained 45 yards on seven carries; Trent Kelly 41 yards on seven attempts and Mason Mershimer had 30 yards on the ground on only three carries.

“Those young guys did a pretty good job,” Rottman said. “They have a lot of upside.

“We're trying to get them more involved,” Rottman added. “We're going to need them more as the season goes on.”

Brockway coach Tom Weaver could not be reached for comment.