FORT ATKINSON - Monroe fell behind early and didn't find a groove until late in the second half Friday. In the end, Fort Atkinson scored its first points of the year and knocked off the Cheesemakers 27-14.
"My hats off to Fort Atkinson. They did an outstanding job and earned their first conference win of the season," Monroe head coach Curt Miller said.
Joey Scott scored two touchdowns in the first half as the Blackhawks opened up a 20-0 lead at halftime. Fort Atkinson hadn't scored in its first three games of the season and had allowed over 41 points in that same time frame.
"It was tough. Our defense has played so well so far this year," Miller said. "It was hard. They took that opening kickoff and punched it in on their first possession. It really deflated us."
Monroe got on the board in the third quarter when sophomore quarterback Alex Barenklau connected with senior wide out Bryan Tordoff from 13 yards out. A 3-yard pass from Barenklau to Alex Dahlk in the fourth gave the Cheesemakers its only other score of the game.
"We found a way to get some production out of our offense in the second half. We need to do that when it's 0-0, though," Miller said.
Dylan Schwitz led the way for Monroe on offense, gaining 86 yards on 11 carries. Barenklau finished 13 for 36 passing for 164 yards and an interception. Tordoff had six catches for 88 yards.
Scott had 160 yards on 37 carries for Fort Atkinson (1-3, 1-1 Badger South). The Blackhawks collected 299 yards of total offense.
It was Fort Atkinson's first conference victory since joining the conference in 2008. The Blackhawks snapped a drought in its long-history of games against Monroe. It was the Cheesemakers' first loss to Fort Atkinson since 1983.
Up next for Monroe (0-4, 0-2) is a Sept. 24 at home game against Madison Edgewood (3-1, 1-0).
"If it's going to take a team to get us fired up, it would be Edgewood," Miller said.
"My hats off to Fort Atkinson. They did an outstanding job and earned their first conference win of the season," Monroe head coach Curt Miller said.
Joey Scott scored two touchdowns in the first half as the Blackhawks opened up a 20-0 lead at halftime. Fort Atkinson hadn't scored in its first three games of the season and had allowed over 41 points in that same time frame.
"It was tough. Our defense has played so well so far this year," Miller said. "It was hard. They took that opening kickoff and punched it in on their first possession. It really deflated us."
Monroe got on the board in the third quarter when sophomore quarterback Alex Barenklau connected with senior wide out Bryan Tordoff from 13 yards out. A 3-yard pass from Barenklau to Alex Dahlk in the fourth gave the Cheesemakers its only other score of the game.
"We found a way to get some production out of our offense in the second half. We need to do that when it's 0-0, though," Miller said.
Dylan Schwitz led the way for Monroe on offense, gaining 86 yards on 11 carries. Barenklau finished 13 for 36 passing for 164 yards and an interception. Tordoff had six catches for 88 yards.
Scott had 160 yards on 37 carries for Fort Atkinson (1-3, 1-1 Badger South). The Blackhawks collected 299 yards of total offense.
It was Fort Atkinson's first conference victory since joining the conference in 2008. The Blackhawks snapped a drought in its long-history of games against Monroe. It was the Cheesemakers' first loss to Fort Atkinson since 1983.
Up next for Monroe (0-4, 0-2) is a Sept. 24 at home game against Madison Edgewood (3-1, 1-0).
"If it's going to take a team to get us fired up, it would be Edgewood," Miller said.
