Moniteau football focused on positives, small gains after loss to Brookville

October 12, 2024 Last Updated: October 12, 2024 12:24 AM Sports

Moniteau’s Kole Scott fends off a tackle by Brookville as he looks for an opening to pass the ball in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Moniteau’s Liam Allison catches a kickoff ball in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Moniteau’s Liam Allison runs through Brookeville’s defense in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Moniteau’s Kole Scott fends off a tackle by Brookville as he looks for an opening to pass the ball in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau’s Liam Allison catches a kickoff ball in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau’s Liam Allison runs through Brookeville’s defense in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Moniteau fell to Brookville 48-8 in a football game on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

CHERRY TWP — Despite a winless season, Moniteau football is looking to build on the success it has had, even though it has yet to be represented in the win column.

The Warriors fell Friday night at Luciano Plesakov Stadium, 48-8, to Brookville. They fell to 0-8 with two games still to play.

“The guys did what I asked of them at halftime,” Moniteau head coach Rob Rottman said. “They changed their attitude and came out with some excitement. That shows some character.”

The Warriors have been dealing with a small roster compared to most teams in the region, and that roster shrunk even more early in the season when they had to forfeit their Week 4 matchup against Central Clarion due to injuries.

Moniteau has scored 50 points all season, including Friday’s loss, but Rottman is confident his team is heading in the right direction offensively with the desire to continue to get better no matter what.

Moniteau’s Carter Knight, right, embraces a teammate during the first half, a loss to Brookville on Friday at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

“I honestly think this past Wednesday might have been our best practice we had all year,” Rottman said. “Even after starting the season the way we have. That showed me something, too.”

Rottman also pointed to his team’s youth, which is comprised of just five seniors and plenty of underclassmen who continue to grow. That is what the Warriors have going for them moving forward, but for now it’s a learning process.

“To me it’s a positive to be starting freshman on the offensive line,” Rottman said. “They are building and getting used to a Friday night. The guys play hard.”

Junior quarterback Brendin Sankey also believes the offense is continuing to grow, especially with the youth it has.

“We are starting to move the ball,” Sankey said. “We just have to finish drives. We just have to keep that good mindset and just play as team is all.”

In Friday’s game, the Warriors had trouble moving the ball early and Brookville did not. It wasn’t until the Raiders got a comfortable lead when the Moniteau offense showed signs of life, but was only able to muster one score in the third quarter off a Kole Scott pass from Sankey.

“We are moving the ball better than we did at the beginning of the year,” Rottman said. “Little mistakes are stopping us from completing those drives, but we are getting bigger plays out of our offense.”

Rottman also believes the Warriors defense is moving faster than in the beginning of the year, and he has seen progression out of everyone.

The Warriors, who are still searching for their first playoff birth since 2018, have two more chances in October to pick up their first win of the season. Next is a road game at Union/A-C Valley. Despite the record, the moral in the locker room is not that of a winless team, according to Sankey.

“(Morale) was low at the beginning, but we are a small school playing 4A and 5A schools and we have to make the best of it,” he said. “Our morale is starting to get up every game because we know we have the chance, we just have to go out and execute.”

Moniteau’s Kole Scott fends off a tackle by Brookville as he looks for an opening to pass the ball in a football game Friday at Moniteau High School. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

Brookville 20 21 7 0 — 48

Moniteau 0 0 8 0 — 8

First quarter

B — Easton Belfiore 6 run (Gannon McMaster kick blocked), 11:12

B — Colton Griffin 3 run (McMaster kick), 8:37

B — Belfiore 5 pass from Trenton Colgan (McMaster kick), 6:15

Second quarter

B — Griffin 38 run (McMaster kick), 9:43

B — Belfiore 15 run (Belfiore 2-point conversion), 5:09

B — Belfiore 10 run (McMaster kick missed), 1:24

Third quarter

B — Gavin Hannah 7 run (McMaster kick), 4:14

M — Kole Scott 25 pass from Brendin Sankey (Jesse Kohlmeyer 2-point conversion), 0:00

Individual Statistics

Rushing: Brookville, Trenton Colgan 3-57, Colton Griffin 13-189, Easton Belfiore 6-81, Parker Kalgren 1-13, Gavin Hannah 1-7, Jordan Sarvey 6-12, Zach Phillips 3-10. Moniteau, Brendin Sankey 7-61, Kole Scott 10-16, Jesse Kohlmeyer 1-1, Trent Beachem 2-15.

Passing: Brookville, Trenton Colgan 5-5-90-0, Parker Kalgren 1-4-23-0. Moniteau, Brendin Sankey 11-25-135-2.

Receiving: Brookville, Dante Morey 1-16, Easton Belfiore 3-55, Parker Kalgren 1-19, Blake Porter 1-23. Moniteau, Kole Scott 8-111, Blaine Jamison 1-6, Jesse Kohlmeyer 1-8.