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|
Sports Report |
| Panthers secure Cowbell for sixth straight
year |
| By Pete Temple Express Sports Editor Monticello not only wanted to keep the
coveted Cowbell Trophy with a football victory over archrival Anamosa,
it also wanted to make a statement about its team. Both things were accomplished, as the
Panthers scored a 20-0 season-opening victory Friday, Aug. 27 at
Anamosa. Monticello earned the right to keep the Cowbell for the sixth
straight year, and lifted its lead in the all-time series to 51-33-5. This win, however, meant more than that. “The kids want to change some things about
themselves and this program,” coach Shane Blake said, “and they are on
the right path.” Although the Panthers made some mistakes in
the early going, coach Blake said he was pleased with the overall
effort. “I was happy with the sportsmanship by all
the kids,” he said. “The discipline was wonderful. I really thought the
kids played with a lot of heart and togetherness.” Monticello controlled things from a
statistical point of view, but held only a two-score lead, 13-0, at
halftime. A defense that held Anamosa to just two first downs for the
game, and never allowed the Blue Raiders inside the Panther 40-yard
line, however, made sure this one would go Monticello’s way. “We left some plays out on the field,”
Blake said. “We need to work on our ball security and move the line of
scrimmage like we moved it on defense.” The teams traded turnovers during a
scoreless first quarter. Anamosa went three-and-out on its first
series, and Dallas Koppes returned the ensuring punt 34 yards to the
Anamosa 39-yard line. The Panthers moved to the 22, before a
fumble was recovered by Anamosa’s Vaughn Takes, who returned the ball
14 yards. Monticello responded with an interception,
the first of three in the game, on a leaping catch by Payton Felton. The Panthers were forced to punt on their
next series, but got the ball back on an interception by Nick Eastburn
at the Blue Raider 43. Monticello drove as close as the 10-yard
line, but Anamosa stopped the Panthers on downs. The early part of the second quarter was
similar; Eastburn made an interception, but the Panthers were held on
downs at the Anamosa 31. The play that turned the game in
Monticello’s favor was a fumbled snap on a punt. Dylan Ash tackled the
punter at the Anamosa 32. This time, the Panthers cashed in.
Quarterback Cody Gullett completed an eight-yard pass to Koppes, then
ran the ball three straight times. He gained 18 yards to the 6, then
two more, then scored on a run up the middle. A fumbled snap on the
extra point led to an incomplete two-point pass, but the Panthers led
6-0 with 4:48 left in the first half. Another error on a punt attempt set up
Monticello’s second score, giving the Panthers the ball at the Anamosa
6. Following a procedure penalty, Gullett went on an 11-yard scoring
run, and Curtis Prull kicked the extra point for a 13-0 Panther lead
with 2:09 left in the half. That score held up until late in the third
quarter, when the Panthers had their most impressive drive of the game.
They marched 77 yards in eight plays, scoring on a two-yard run up the
middle by Cody Simmons, followed by Prull’s point-after. Key plays in the drive were a 10-yard run
by Tyler Felton, a 35-yard breakaway run by Gullett, and a 13-yard pass
from Gullett to Simmons. Anamosa’s best scoring threat was early in
the third quarter. A long punt return appeared to give the Blue Raiders
the ball deep in Panther territory, but a holding penalty brought the
ball back to the Monticello 46 – Anamosa’s deepest penetration of the
game. Monticello’s defense held Anamosa to 43
total yards and just two first downs for the game. The Panthers totaled
246 yards, including 156 on the ground. The Panthers spread the wealth in their
rushing attack. Gullett was the leading ball-carrier with 58 yards on
14 tries. Freshman Jacob Black rushed for 27 yards, Mitch McLaughlin
had 25, Koppes had 20 and Simmons had 17. Gullett competed 10 of 15 passes for 90
yards. Simmons had two catches for 26. Koppes and Ash led the defense in tackles,
with eight apiece. Northeast next Northeast opened this season with a 20-14
win over Camanche Friday. “Northeast is tall, big, athletic, and will
play four quarters of football,” Blake said. “We will see a very fast
and good running back, Tanner Loots, who can make things happen if we
do not do our assignments. “We must stay disciplined, focused, and
have a great week of practice.” |
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