PORTAGE - For the first time since 2006, Monroe's varsity football program is savoring a victory.
The Cheesemakers (1-1) jumped out to a 22-8 lead Friday at Portage and held off the Warriors for their first victory of the season. Monroe was winless last season. Portage hurt itself with seven penalties for 75 yards.
The biggest penalty came early in the second quarter when Nate Fredrick returned an interception 95 yards for an apparent touchdown, only to have the score taken off the board on a personal foul penalty on the Warriors. The official called Portage for an unnecessary block that came well behind the play.
"They're fixable, but boy, they were stupid penalties tonight," Portage head coach Dave Schmitz said of his team's penalties. "Three unnecessary ones. They were questionable, but still, if you put the ref in a position to call them, you're going to get called. Those killed us."
Monroe looked to take control of the game early, after scoring on a 3-yard run from Alex Dammen on its opening drive. The Cheesemakers appeared set to go up two scores when Fredrick's interception ended one scoring threat.
Two more interceptions from Portage in the second quarter halted Monroe's scoring chances. The second of those interceptions came from Shawn Maldonado and was returned 60 yards to the Monroe 25-yard line. Portage scored on the very next play on a pass to Fredrick to tie the score entering the half.
Portage's third pick of the quarter was made late in the half by freshman Jon Nolan.
Monroe opened the third quarter with two straight touchdowns to go up 22-8, but the Warriors answered late in the quarter with an 18-yard TD run by John Biba to close the gap to 22-15.
After the Cheesemakers took a 28-15 lead early in the final quarter on a 20-yard run by Garrett Wyss, Portage again came up with an answer. This time it was Kevin Hurd who caught a strike from Koch on a slant route to make it 28-21 with 2:37 to go.
The Warriors got the ball back on their own 7-yard line with 46 seconds to go and were able to drive the midfield, but get no farther as time ran out.
"We've been waiting for this one for a while and our kids have worked hard and they have been relentless," Monroe head coach Curt Miller said. "They have not given up and it's tough when you have a lot of loses in a row from one season to the next. I'm so darn proud of these guys. They were able to dig down deep and get a victory."
The win also was a first for Miller, who is in his first year leading the Cheesemakers.
"It feels great. It always does. We were really hoping for one last week, but we'll take this one. It feels awesome," Miller said.
Portage was able to move the ball at times, especially through the air. Koch showed off his strong arm, throwing for 175 yards on 13-of-25 passing.
Monroe did most of its damage on the ground, led by Alex Dammen's 158 rushing yards, the Cheesemakers finished the night with 251 rushing yards on 50 carries.
The Cheesemakers (1-1) jumped out to a 22-8 lead Friday at Portage and held off the Warriors for their first victory of the season. Monroe was winless last season. Portage hurt itself with seven penalties for 75 yards.
The biggest penalty came early in the second quarter when Nate Fredrick returned an interception 95 yards for an apparent touchdown, only to have the score taken off the board on a personal foul penalty on the Warriors. The official called Portage for an unnecessary block that came well behind the play.
"They're fixable, but boy, they were stupid penalties tonight," Portage head coach Dave Schmitz said of his team's penalties. "Three unnecessary ones. They were questionable, but still, if you put the ref in a position to call them, you're going to get called. Those killed us."
Monroe looked to take control of the game early, after scoring on a 3-yard run from Alex Dammen on its opening drive. The Cheesemakers appeared set to go up two scores when Fredrick's interception ended one scoring threat.
Two more interceptions from Portage in the second quarter halted Monroe's scoring chances. The second of those interceptions came from Shawn Maldonado and was returned 60 yards to the Monroe 25-yard line. Portage scored on the very next play on a pass to Fredrick to tie the score entering the half.
Portage's third pick of the quarter was made late in the half by freshman Jon Nolan.
Monroe opened the third quarter with two straight touchdowns to go up 22-8, but the Warriors answered late in the quarter with an 18-yard TD run by John Biba to close the gap to 22-15.
After the Cheesemakers took a 28-15 lead early in the final quarter on a 20-yard run by Garrett Wyss, Portage again came up with an answer. This time it was Kevin Hurd who caught a strike from Koch on a slant route to make it 28-21 with 2:37 to go.
The Warriors got the ball back on their own 7-yard line with 46 seconds to go and were able to drive the midfield, but get no farther as time ran out.
"We've been waiting for this one for a while and our kids have worked hard and they have been relentless," Monroe head coach Curt Miller said. "They have not given up and it's tough when you have a lot of loses in a row from one season to the next. I'm so darn proud of these guys. They were able to dig down deep and get a victory."
The win also was a first for Miller, who is in his first year leading the Cheesemakers.
"It feels great. It always does. We were really hoping for one last week, but we'll take this one. It feels awesome," Miller said.
Portage was able to move the ball at times, especially through the air. Koch showed off his strong arm, throwing for 175 yards on 13-of-25 passing.
Monroe did most of its damage on the ground, led by Alex Dammen's 158 rushing yards, the Cheesemakers finished the night with 251 rushing yards on 50 carries.
