DUBOIS — Three seconds ... and 36 inches.

That's how close Moniteau's football team came from leaving EJ Mansell Stadium with a victory Friday night.

With just five seconds left in the game and DuBois Area out of time outs, the Beavers scored the deciding touchdown on a 1-yard plunge by running back Reuben Estrada.

It was not initially ruled a score, but after the officials conferred, six points were awarded to DuBois.

Nick Graeca's extra point made the final margin 19-16.

Moniteau had a final chance from near midfield, but strong-armed backup quarterback Brady Thompson had his Hail Mary pass fall incomplete near the goal line.

“In a close game like this, with the emotion the guys are playing with on every play, it makes it really tough to lose,” said Moniteau coach Bob Rottman.

“It was heartbreaking,” said Moniteau senior quarterback David Stamm, whose 8-yard touchdown pass to Chaz McGuire had given the Warriors (1-4) a 16-12 lead with 2:36 to play.

Moniteau's defense had taken away the running threat posed by DuBois quarterback Cam-Ron Hays until the final possession, when he began the drive with a 17-yard run to the Warriors' 46.

Facing a 4th-and-5 from the 41, Hays broke loose for an 8-yard gain that gave the Beavers a fresh set of downs.

An intentional grounding penalty, followed by a false start on DuBois was negated when the Warriors were flagged for roughing the passer and the Beavers had a first down at the 29.

Time was running out, however, and DuBois needed a big play.

That came when Hays' pass down the middle of the field was caught by Derraick Burkett at the 1-yard line.

Hays then had to leave the game with an injury when his run for the right corner of the end zone fell short.

DuBois called its final timeout and sent backup quarterback Austin Mitchell in to hand off to Estrada, who scored his second touchdown of the game.

“We knew where the ball was going,” said Stamm, a defensive back. “Sometimes things happen that go against you. It just didn't go our way.”

“There were times tonight when we didn't execute well and penalties hurt us on both sides of the ball,” said Rottman, “but I thought our boys left it all on the field.”

Moniteau opened the scoring with Mason Mershimer's 13-yard run late in the first quarter.

But the battle for field position, which worked against the Warriors for much of the night, helped DuBois move ahead.

Beavers' punter Dale Kot pinned Moniteau at its own 1-yard line and running back Caden Roxberry was tackled in his own end zone for a safety.

Following the free kick, it took DuBois just three plays to move 45 yards, with Estrada scoring on a short run for a 9-7 lead.

Kot later forced the Warriors to start a drive at their own 1 again early in the fourth quarter. They went 3-and-out after gaining just four yards in three plays.

“When you get backed up like that, there's no room for error,” said Rottman. “We felt like we just had to play it safe with our play-calling.”

The teams exchanged field goals late in the second quarter. Stamm's 20-yarder gave the Warriors a 10-9 lead, but Graeca booted one from 34 yards with one second left in the period as the Beavers (2-3) led 12-10 at halftime.

DuBois Area coach TJ Wingard was unavailable for comment.

Moniteau visits Karns City next Friday.

Moniteau 7 3 0 6 — 16

DuBois Area 0 12 0 7 — 19

First Quarter

M — Mason Mershimer 13 run (David Stamm kick), 1:31

Second Quarter

DA — Caden Roxberry tackled in end zonbe for safety, 10:05

DA — Reuben Estrada 2 run (Nick Graeca kick), 9:23

M — Stamm 20 field goal, 4:52

DA — Graeca 24 field goal, :01

Fourth Quarter

M — Chaz McGuire 8 pass from Stamm (pass failed), 2:36

DA — Estrada 1 run (Graeca kick), :03

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Moniteau, Chaz McGuire 6-30, Mason Mershimer 16-81, Caden Roxberry 4-5, David Stamm 5-23, TEAM 2-(-4). DuBois Area, Zach Henery 17-84, Reubven Estrada 14-47, Cam-Ron Hays 11-(-17), Braxton Adams 1-40, TEAM 3-(-19).

Passing:Moniteau, David Stamm 5-9-86-0, Brady Thompson 0-2-0-1. DuBois Area, Cam-Ron Hays 18-26-191-0.

Receiving:Moniteau, AJ McElravy 2-24, Brady Thompson 1-36, Chaz McGuiire 2-26. DuBois Area, Dale Kot 3-42, Derraick Burkett 8-73, Austin Mitchell 1-7, Chandler Ho 2-19, Reuben Estrada 3-32, Zach Henery 1-18.