MONROE - Senior running back Cody Wolf had a game running backs always dream about.
Wolf rushed for 241 yards and scored six touchdowns to help Monroe roll to a 41-12 win over Portage in the season opener Friday.
"Last night Edgewood played Waunakee and Troy Laufenberg had a big game," Wolf said of the Waunakee senior, who rushed for 350 yards and scored five touchdowns in a 49-21 win over the Crusaders Thursday. "I just wanted to try to top him. That doesn't happen without the offensive line and young wide receivers blocking down field."
Both Monroe and Portage went 0-9 last year. However, the Cheesemakers believe they are a much improved team and they proved it dominating the Warriors. The Cheesemakers scored on their first three possessions, steamrolling to a 20-0 lead in the first quarter. It's the most points the Cheesemakers have scored in a game since 2005 when they beat McFarland 42-0.
"As a team we played tremendous," Wolf said. "I remember as a sophomore we went 1-0 after the first week and we made the playoffs. It's a big win tonight. We will celebrate tonight and tomorrow and rally back for Baraboo next week. We will take it one step at a time."
Monroe coach Curt Miller wasn't satisfied, but was excited his team was 1-0 after the first game.
"This one feels great to see our kids come out and play hard," Miller said. "They have worked hard in the offseason, and it's great to see them get rewarded with a win in the first week."
Wolf put the Cheesemakers on the board with a 28-yard TD run on a lateral from sophomore quarterback Tyler Elmer on third-and-6 on the opening drive to give the Cheesemakers a 6-0 lead. Monroe senior Alex Borowitz then recovered a Warriors' fumble at Portage's 28-yard line to set up the next score. One play later, Wolf bolted for a 20-yard TD run to give the Cheesemakers a 13-0 lead.
"Our defense played very fast, and when they got that turnover Portage just put their heads down," Wolf said.
Miller commended Borowitz for his play at middle linebacker.
"We didn't know if he would come out for football," Miller said. "He has been a difference-maker for us so far."
Monroe senior Desmond Ford returned a punt 57 yards to set up the next scoring drive. Two plays later, Wolf rammed in for a 6-yard TD run on third-and-goal to give the Cheesemakers a 20-0 lead.
The Cheesemakers capped a six-play, 62-yard drive, with Wolf punching in a 3-yard TD run to give the Cheesemakers a 27-0 lead at the half.
The Cheesemakers stormed past the Warriors in the second half. Wolf had 2-, 5- and 6-yard TD runs in the second half to put the Warriors away. The Cheesemakers had 301 total yards and 263 total rushing yards. Elmer was 3-of-5 passing for 31 yards. Monroe sophomore Jacob Kind had two receptions for 31 yards.
"It was a combination of the offensive line and Cody," Miller said of the Cheesemakers' rushing attack. The offensive line opened up a lot of holes for Cody. Cody did a whole lot of work in the open field making people miss."
Monroe will play at Baraboo Friday, Aug. 29.
"We will just keep taking it one game at a time," Miller said. "There are a lot of unknowns there. They (Baraboo) have a new coach. I don't know much about them. We will prep our kids and be ready."
Wolf rushed for 241 yards and scored six touchdowns to help Monroe roll to a 41-12 win over Portage in the season opener Friday.
"Last night Edgewood played Waunakee and Troy Laufenberg had a big game," Wolf said of the Waunakee senior, who rushed for 350 yards and scored five touchdowns in a 49-21 win over the Crusaders Thursday. "I just wanted to try to top him. That doesn't happen without the offensive line and young wide receivers blocking down field."
Both Monroe and Portage went 0-9 last year. However, the Cheesemakers believe they are a much improved team and they proved it dominating the Warriors. The Cheesemakers scored on their first three possessions, steamrolling to a 20-0 lead in the first quarter. It's the most points the Cheesemakers have scored in a game since 2005 when they beat McFarland 42-0.
"As a team we played tremendous," Wolf said. "I remember as a sophomore we went 1-0 after the first week and we made the playoffs. It's a big win tonight. We will celebrate tonight and tomorrow and rally back for Baraboo next week. We will take it one step at a time."
Monroe coach Curt Miller wasn't satisfied, but was excited his team was 1-0 after the first game.
"This one feels great to see our kids come out and play hard," Miller said. "They have worked hard in the offseason, and it's great to see them get rewarded with a win in the first week."
Wolf put the Cheesemakers on the board with a 28-yard TD run on a lateral from sophomore quarterback Tyler Elmer on third-and-6 on the opening drive to give the Cheesemakers a 6-0 lead. Monroe senior Alex Borowitz then recovered a Warriors' fumble at Portage's 28-yard line to set up the next score. One play later, Wolf bolted for a 20-yard TD run to give the Cheesemakers a 13-0 lead.
"Our defense played very fast, and when they got that turnover Portage just put their heads down," Wolf said.
Miller commended Borowitz for his play at middle linebacker.
"We didn't know if he would come out for football," Miller said. "He has been a difference-maker for us so far."
Monroe senior Desmond Ford returned a punt 57 yards to set up the next scoring drive. Two plays later, Wolf rammed in for a 6-yard TD run on third-and-goal to give the Cheesemakers a 20-0 lead.
The Cheesemakers capped a six-play, 62-yard drive, with Wolf punching in a 3-yard TD run to give the Cheesemakers a 27-0 lead at the half.
The Cheesemakers stormed past the Warriors in the second half. Wolf had 2-, 5- and 6-yard TD runs in the second half to put the Warriors away. The Cheesemakers had 301 total yards and 263 total rushing yards. Elmer was 3-of-5 passing for 31 yards. Monroe sophomore Jacob Kind had two receptions for 31 yards.
"It was a combination of the offensive line and Cody," Miller said of the Cheesemakers' rushing attack. The offensive line opened up a lot of holes for Cody. Cody did a whole lot of work in the open field making people miss."
Monroe will play at Baraboo Friday, Aug. 29.
"We will just keep taking it one game at a time," Miller said. "There are a lot of unknowns there. They (Baraboo) have a new coach. I don't know much about them. We will prep our kids and be ready."
