MONONA GROVE - First-quarter mistakes put the Monroe football team in an early hole, and the Cheesemakers fell to host Monona Grove 45-0 Friday night.
Monroe (0-3 Badger South) turned the ball over two times in the game, mistakes that can be multiplied when the team you hand the ball back to have an effective ground game. And that's exactly what the Silver Eagles had.
As a team, Monona Grove ran the ball 48 times for 360 yards. They scored 17 points in the first quarter, 14 in the second, and 7 points in the third and fourth quarters.
Despite the lopsided affair, Monroe coach Curt Miller did draw positives from the game.
"We felt like we did a lot more positive things than a 45-0 scoreboard will show," Miller said. "We had kids playing hard ... but unfortunately we put ourselves in a hole a couple times. And you can't afford to do that against a good team like Monona Grove."
Monroe was stifled on the ground, managing just 64 yards on 24 carries (a 2.6-yard average). They fumbled three times, losing one, and threw one interception on a screen play.
In three road games, Monroe is averaging 7 points per game. However, they are averaging 19 points per game at home. That's a statistic they'll hope to capitalize and improve on next week.
The team returns home Friday for their homecoming game and a favorable matchup against Badger South opponent Oregon, a team that is 0-5 for the season and averaging just 11 points per game.
Miller said the home game will be a good opportunity for the team to take a step in the right direction.
"It should be a good matchup," Miller said. "Our kids are going to be excited to get back home. Our team will be focused. Our kids have practiced well all year long."
Monroe (0-3 Badger South) turned the ball over two times in the game, mistakes that can be multiplied when the team you hand the ball back to have an effective ground game. And that's exactly what the Silver Eagles had.
As a team, Monona Grove ran the ball 48 times for 360 yards. They scored 17 points in the first quarter, 14 in the second, and 7 points in the third and fourth quarters.
Despite the lopsided affair, Monroe coach Curt Miller did draw positives from the game.
"We felt like we did a lot more positive things than a 45-0 scoreboard will show," Miller said. "We had kids playing hard ... but unfortunately we put ourselves in a hole a couple times. And you can't afford to do that against a good team like Monona Grove."
Monroe was stifled on the ground, managing just 64 yards on 24 carries (a 2.6-yard average). They fumbled three times, losing one, and threw one interception on a screen play.
In three road games, Monroe is averaging 7 points per game. However, they are averaging 19 points per game at home. That's a statistic they'll hope to capitalize and improve on next week.
The team returns home Friday for their homecoming game and a favorable matchup against Badger South opponent Oregon, a team that is 0-5 for the season and averaging just 11 points per game.
Miller said the home game will be a good opportunity for the team to take a step in the right direction.
"It should be a good matchup," Miller said. "Our kids are going to be excited to get back home. Our team will be focused. Our kids have practiced well all year long."
