Monroeville leaves no doubt

MONROEVILLE — The Eagles were ready to get the losing taste out of their mouths. The Monroeville football team had not won since September of 2021, but after Friday, the winning feeling has returned. The Eagles ran for over 300 yards and dominated Lakota from the start, topping the Raiders, 20-6, in non-league play at Marsh Field. "It's unbelievable," Monroeville coach Tylor Nester said. "In the huddle after the game, we were all in tears because we know the work and dedication we have had. It is an unbelievable feeling. But when we finished talking, we said we want this to be a stepping stone and a step in the right direction." Quarterback Evan Benfer led the Eagles (1-0) with 22 carries for 157 yards, while tailback Landen Roeder added 21 rushes for 131 yards. Benfer scored twice in the fourth quarter while Roeder opened the game's scoring in the first quarter. "Our offensive line did their damndest this off-season to put in the work," Nester said. "They had the drive and foot work to get off the line to make the holes. Evan and Landen took advantage of the seams and creases." Monroeville controlled the line of scrimmage throughout, getting chunks of yards on the ground more times than not. Near the midway point of the first quarter, Benfer intercepted Lakota (0-1) quarterback Jalen Wagner to give the Eagles nice field position. Monroeville needed an 11-yard run from Roeder on fourth-and-two just to keep the drive alive. Three plays later, Roeder exploded through the middle and raced 39 yards for the touchdown. The extra point by Landon Stein pushed the Eagles up 7-0 with 2:18 left in the first quarter. The Raiders went three-and-out and Monroeville started its next drive near midfield and guzzled clock before scoring again. The Eagles methodically used a 13-play drive that took 8:12 off the clock. In the end, Benfer's jumpball pass to 6-foot-5 Blake Schaub was hauled in for a four-yard TD. Stein's extra point made it 14-0. That score was the same at halftime and into the third quarter. Lakota showed a bit of life offensively, driving inside the Monroeville 20. But, the Eagles the answer and a stop. A sack by Maverick Myers on first down put Lakota behind the sticks. After a pair of incomplete passes, Landin Hershiser sacked Wagner to end the drive. The offense again cashed in for the Eagles. Benfer opened the drive with a 29-yard scamper. Monroeville continued to eat up big plays and on the first play of the fourth quarter, Benfer rolled out for a pass, but kept it for a four-yard TD run for a 20-0 edge. "I can't say enough about Evan's increase, buy-in, and leadership," Nester said. "We have five captains including him. They know the expectation and set the bar and demand it be met from everyone else." Lakota got a 32-yard touchdown pass from Wagner to Avery Shilling, but the Eagles responded. With nine straight runs, Monroeville drove 73 yards and Benfer's nine-yard scoring run pushed the lead back to 27-7 with 4:08 to go. "The win is a testament to our seniors and leaders," Nester said. "They got on me right after last season was over and they wanted to get in the weight room. We got in the weight room and worked." Lakota 0 0 0 7 — 7 Monroeville 7 7 0 13 — 27 Scoring MON — Landen Roeder 37 run (Landon Stein kick) MON — Blake Schaub 4 pass from Evan Benfer (Stein kick) MON — Benfer 4 run (run failed) LAK — Avery Shilling 32 pass from Jalen Wagner (Brandon Leal kick) MON — Benfer 9 run (Stein kick)