WAUNAKEE - The Cheesemakers got off to a great start against a talented Waunakee team Friday, Aug. 30, but it wasn't enough to carry Monroe to its first win of the season.
Monroe lost 48-7 despite a first-quarter interception by Charlie Kind that put the Cheesemakers in position to take the first lead of the game. Monroe (0-2) capitalized on the opportunity just a few plays later when Jake Flannery carried the ball into the end zone to put the Cheesemakers up 7-0.
Monroe held its own in the first half, keeping the game close at 21-7, before the game started to get away from them in the third quarter.
"I think we just ran out of gas. We can play with teams like this, but we ran out of gas," said assistant coach Shawn Paulson.
Paulson singled out Waunakee's offensive and defensive lines as the biggest reason Monroe was unable to stay in the game after halftime. On the night, Waunakee out-gained the Cheesemakers 443 yards to 82 yards, which included a blistering 357 yards on the ground.
"They have a great offensive line," Paulson said. "It was a good effort against a great team. You're up against one of the best teams in state, against a great coach.
"We went toe-to-toe with them for a while. It wasn't for a lack of trying. We're going to continue to practice and get better each week."
Paulson said that after two losses, the Cheesemakers have to "get better at everything" if they want to stand a chance next week against another tough opponent, DeForest.
"It's historically a great program, that's well-coached," Paulson said of DeForest. "We're going to get after them. We expect to go out and compete, and we expect to win these games."
Cody Wolf led the way for the Cheesemakers on the ground with 24 yards on six carries, while quarterback Garrett Gogin completed two of six passing attempts for 58 yards. Monroe had eight first downs on the night to Waunakee's 12.
Monroe lost 48-7 despite a first-quarter interception by Charlie Kind that put the Cheesemakers in position to take the first lead of the game. Monroe (0-2) capitalized on the opportunity just a few plays later when Jake Flannery carried the ball into the end zone to put the Cheesemakers up 7-0.
Monroe held its own in the first half, keeping the game close at 21-7, before the game started to get away from them in the third quarter.
"I think we just ran out of gas. We can play with teams like this, but we ran out of gas," said assistant coach Shawn Paulson.
Paulson singled out Waunakee's offensive and defensive lines as the biggest reason Monroe was unable to stay in the game after halftime. On the night, Waunakee out-gained the Cheesemakers 443 yards to 82 yards, which included a blistering 357 yards on the ground.
"They have a great offensive line," Paulson said. "It was a good effort against a great team. You're up against one of the best teams in state, against a great coach.
"We went toe-to-toe with them for a while. It wasn't for a lack of trying. We're going to continue to practice and get better each week."
Paulson said that after two losses, the Cheesemakers have to "get better at everything" if they want to stand a chance next week against another tough opponent, DeForest.
"It's historically a great program, that's well-coached," Paulson said of DeForest. "We're going to get after them. We expect to go out and compete, and we expect to win these games."
Cody Wolf led the way for the Cheesemakers on the ground with 24 yards on six carries, while quarterback Garrett Gogin completed two of six passing attempts for 58 yards. Monroe had eight first downs on the night to Waunakee's 12.
