MONROE — The Cheesemakers got everything they wanted in the Week 5. At the top of Monroe’s list was a victory — which it achieved in a 42-6 rout of Rock Valley Conference rival Whitewater on Friday, Sept. 19.
The Cheesemakers’ rushing game gouged the Whippets for 391 yards and four touchdowns, the defense allowed just one touchdown, and the special teams crew kicked two field goals and kept pinning Whitewater deep. The average starting field position for the Whippets was their own 22-yard line after kickoffs.
The Cheesemakers scored right away on a three-play, 64-yard drive with senior Kingston McNett running it in from five yards out. McNett added a two-point conversion to make it 8-0.
Monroe exploded for 31 points in the second quarter, beginning with its third possession of the game. Noah Spotts picked up a key first down, which helped the Cheesemakers go 79 yards in five plays. Quarterback Ryan Roelli capped the drive with a 35 yards rushing touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. Brock Brandli added the extra point to make it 15-0. After the Cheesemakers forced Whitewater to punt, Spotts scored on a 28-yard run. Brandli’s extra point made it 22-0 with 7:59 remaining until halftime.
After Monroe kicked off, Whitewater fumbled to begin their next possession, and the Cheesemakers recovered at the 28-yard line. Two plays later, McNett rumbled in from 22 yards. Brandli’s PAT gave the Cheese a 29-0 lead with 6:58 before halftime.
Whitewater got its only score of the game when quarterback Ty Bucholtz scrambled to his right and sped 73 yards for a touchdown with 3:12 left in the second quarter. The extra point was blocked.
The Cheesemakers weren’t done. Their next possession started near midfield and Roelli hooked up with Spotts for a 48-yard touchdown pass with 2:57 before the half. It was the only pass completion of the night for Roelli and the Cheesemakers.
Monroe’s defense stopped Whitewater on downs in the final minute and the Cheesemakers moved from their own 28-yard line to the Whitewater 23 in the final seconds. Brandli then drilled a 40-yard field goal at the buzzer to give the Cheese a 39-6 halftime advantage.
To begin the third quarter, Monroe forced a three-and-out and a punt by Whitewater, but the Cheesemakers fumbled the punt. However, Monroe got the ball right back by recovering a Whitewater fumble at the 45-yard line. The Cheesemakers moved the ball to the 21, setting up Brandli for his second field goal of the night, a 38-yarder that gave Monroe a 42-6 lead, activating the running clock. Moments later, senior Will Keehn got an interception for Monroe and the Cheesemakers ran out the clock and could finally celebrate their first win of the season.
After starting the season 0-4, Monroe head coach Tom Witt said getting that first win this season really felt great.
“Just to get that first win, and we’ve been very close in our other games. Just the fact that it’s a ‘W’ on the board and the attitudes of the kids makes practice next week better,” said Witt.
The Cheesemakers (1-4, 1-2 RVC) look for a second win on the season this Friday at McFarland (1-4, 1-2).
