Monroeville blasts Trojans in FC opener

GREENWICH — Needing a win to stop a two-game losing streak, the Monroeville football team did not hold back. The Eagles put their foot on the gas and never let up in a 67-0 win over host South Central on Friday in the Firelands Conference opener for both teams. The Eagles improved to 2-2 overall, while the Trojans fell to 0-4. "Our captains, our seniors, our upperclassmen, they're the ones leading the charge." Monroeville head coach Tylor Nester said. "They're the ones leading, and we're doing what we can to help them. They did a tremendous job leading into this week, and they keep getting better." The Eagles forced a three-and-out to start the game, and quickly the offense exploded. A 48-yard pass from Colt Clark to Chase Horn was the first touchdown strike of the game, which came less than two minutes into the contest. The first of seven extra points by Isaac Krueger gave the Eagles the 7-0 lead. On the following drive for the Trojans, they fumbled only three plays. The Eagles only had to go 30 yards, which proved to be a pair of runs by running back Connor Bores and Clark, which set up a Clark TD pass from 15 yards out to Derek Ackerman. The kick extended the lead to 14-0 at the 8:59 mark of the opening quarter. The Monroeville defense again forced the Trojans off the field in three plays. That led to a 24-yard TD run by Cooper Cleary to push the lead to 20-0. Bores then capped the first quarter in style with a 69-yard TD run to extend the lead to 27-0. The Trojans third three and out of the first half led to the Eagles longest drive of the half. Clark led the charge with a pair of first-down runs before he tumbled into the end zone on a 23-yard run. An interception off the Trojans was turned into another touchdown by the Eagles. A 26-yard pass from Clark to Chase Horn kept the drive alive on a third-and-13. That set up the junior quarterback for an 8-yard TD run and a 40-0 lead. The Eagles defense again held the Trojans to a short drive and punt. Clark capped off his night when he scored his third rushing TD of the night, this time on a 10-yard run to make it 47-0. With Monroeville up big, Nester began to spread the ball around across the roster. Triston Wise scored a 1-yard run right before the half ended to put the Eagles up 53-0. Monroeville started with the ball in the second half and didn't slow down. In under three minutes, the Eagles drove all the way down before Teddy Ballard found Reid Wassermen for a 34-yard TD pass and a 60-0 lead. Ethan Smiley put the exclamation point on the big win with a 34-yard TD run to finish off a 67-0 win. Nester was pleased with the way his team played as a whole in a bounce-back win from losses to Tiffin Calvert and Seneca East. He noted Clark settled in at QB throughout the rout. "Definitely settling into the role well, Colt getting better with his reads in the pass plays every week," Nester said. "And obviously he is a good runner and will continue to get better. "That's what the name of the game is. You want to get better and better a little bit here and there every week." Nester was also proud of the way his offensive line created opportunities for the run game. "They are doing a great job and are always working their tails off," he said. "And shout out to Connor Bores and Cooper Cleary. Just two dynamic kids who are able to give us different styles when it comes to the run game. "Having both of them in our backfield allows us to keep them fresh." Monroeville will look to keep it going against New London (2-2, 0-1) next week at Marsh Field. The Trojans will host Crestview (2-2, 1-0) on the same night. Monroeville 27 26 7 7 — 67South Central 0 0 0 0 — 0 ScoringMON — Chase Horn 48 pass from Colt Clark (Isaac Krueger kick)MON — Derek Ackerman 15 pass from Clark (Krueger kick)MON — Cleary 24 run (kick failed)MON — Connor Bores 69 run (Krueger kick)MON — Clark 23 run (Krueger kick)MON — Clark 8 run (kick failed)MON — Clark 10 run (kick failed)MON — Triston Wise 1 run (Krueger kick)MON — Reid Wassermen 34 pass from Teddy Ballard (Krueger kick)MON — 34 run Ethan Smiley (Krueger kick)