Eagles protect big lead in 2nd half

TIFFIN — After a dominant first half Monroeville led Tiffin Calvert 10-0 before the Senecas made things interesting late.Monroeville scored right out of the half to lead 16-0, but Calvert scored the next nine points, getting within one score and putting pressure on the Eagles with about eight minutes left in the contest.When the Eagles needed a drive, they got it.They executed an 8-play drive – all on the ground – that ended in a Landen Roeder plunge into the end zone from a yard out to ice the game for the Eagles with a big 23-9 win."The chips were kind of against us there because we were shooting ourselves in the foot with those penalties, but that drive was a testament to their leadership, their belief and desire to take this program to the next level," Eagles coach Tylor Nester said. "This was smash-mouth football and we were kind of able to dominate there getting chunk after chunk … and I was excited and happy for those five up front, well seven guys up front sometimes after we rotate some guys in there and all seven worked together."It was Monroeville's defense that got the momentum started as Ethan Pomerich picked off a pass on the third play of the game.Six plays later, quarterback Benfer ran in an 11-yard TD to make it 7-0.To end the half, Monroeville went on a 20-play drive that started at its own 1-yard line, which ended in a 33-yard field goal from Landon Stein to give the Eagles a 10-0 lead at the break.Benfer struck again out of the half – this time from 33 yards out on the ground – to give the Eagles a commanding 16-0 edge.But Calvert (1-1) made things interesting as Cal Warnement ran in a 1-yard score and then Cameron Lucius drilled a 25-yard field goal.But that was all Calvert could manage.Benfer finished with 21 carries for 132 yards on the ground, while Roeder added 18 carries for 63 yards."(Benfer) is an extremely gritty kid and that's even saying it lightly. His instinct and his leadership skills over the years and his drive to make his team better. It's awesome what he does," Nester said.Warnement carried the ball 23 times for 100 yards for the Senecas. The final score was sweet payback for Monroeville. Calvert edged the Eagles 35-34 in overtime last year after the Eagles thought they had the game won on a successful 2-point conversion at the end of regulation. It was negated by a penalty and Monroeville kicked an extra point to send the game to overtime. Monroeville 7 3 6 7 -- 23 Calvert 0 0 6 3 -- 9M – Evan Benfer 11 run (Landon Stein kick), 8:00M – Stein 33 field goal, 0:43M – Benfer 33 run C – Cal Warnement 1 runC – Cameron Lucius 25 field goal, 7:58M – Landen Roeder 1 run (Stein kick), 3:37