FORT ATKINSON - If ever there was a perfect time for Mitch McArdle to score hiss first career touchdown, Friday night was it.
The senior wide receiver caught a 26-yard score and fellow fourth-year running back Zach Rast plowed into the end zone to lift the visiting Monroe High School football team to a 35-34 win over host Fort Atkinson Friday night at Blackhawk Stadium.
"Our program needed a win like this tonight," said Monroe coach Curt Miller, whose squad improved to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play with Friday's win. "These kids have fought harder than any group of kids I've ever worked with."
Fourth-year quarterback Mitch Tordoff torched the Blackhawk secondary, completing 20-of-39 passes for 239 yards on two touchdowns. But none of his 20 completions were as important as the final one of the night for the Cheesemaker senior, when he lofted a pass downfield and into the corner of the end zone to McArdle, setting up the game-winning two-point conversion.
Monroe took a 20-13 lead into halftime thanks to Tordoff'ss first touchdown of the night. With 2 minutes, 40 seconds left in the second quarter, Tordoff found sophomore wide receiver Bryan Tordoff for a 4-yard touchdown to give the Cheesemakers an 18-12 lead.
Mitch Tordoff then proceeded to catch a throw from senior running back Alex Dammen on a trick play to extend Monroe's advantage to 20-13.
Both squads went back and forth in the third quarter, as Fort Atkinson tied the game up at 27-27 on a 41-yard touchown throw from senior quarterback Wes Frankiewicz to senior wide receiver Casey Musgrove.
Neither squad was able to gain any momentum on offense in a scoreless fourth quarter, but the host Blackhawks managed to take the early 34-27 lead in overtime thanks to a 14-yard scoring run from junior tailback C.J Zimmerman.
Mitch Tordoff took a sack on Monroe's first play from scrimmage in overtime, but he bounced back to throw the touchdown to McArdle on the ensuing play.
According to Miller, there was no doubt in his mind his team was going to try for the win rather than force another round of overtime.
"I didn't even have a chance to decide if we are going for one or two," Miller said. "My kids decided for me."
The Cheesemaker coach also said he could not have asked for more from his squad in a victory that came on Fort Atkinson's homecoming weekend.
They are very deserving of this win tonight," said Miller.
"This gives us life," he continued. "Now (our record is) 2-3 and our kids are feeling pretty confident about themselves."
The senior wide receiver caught a 26-yard score and fellow fourth-year running back Zach Rast plowed into the end zone to lift the visiting Monroe High School football team to a 35-34 win over host Fort Atkinson Friday night at Blackhawk Stadium.
"Our program needed a win like this tonight," said Monroe coach Curt Miller, whose squad improved to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play with Friday's win. "These kids have fought harder than any group of kids I've ever worked with."
Fourth-year quarterback Mitch Tordoff torched the Blackhawk secondary, completing 20-of-39 passes for 239 yards on two touchdowns. But none of his 20 completions were as important as the final one of the night for the Cheesemaker senior, when he lofted a pass downfield and into the corner of the end zone to McArdle, setting up the game-winning two-point conversion.
Monroe took a 20-13 lead into halftime thanks to Tordoff'ss first touchdown of the night. With 2 minutes, 40 seconds left in the second quarter, Tordoff found sophomore wide receiver Bryan Tordoff for a 4-yard touchdown to give the Cheesemakers an 18-12 lead.
Mitch Tordoff then proceeded to catch a throw from senior running back Alex Dammen on a trick play to extend Monroe's advantage to 20-13.
Both squads went back and forth in the third quarter, as Fort Atkinson tied the game up at 27-27 on a 41-yard touchown throw from senior quarterback Wes Frankiewicz to senior wide receiver Casey Musgrove.
Neither squad was able to gain any momentum on offense in a scoreless fourth quarter, but the host Blackhawks managed to take the early 34-27 lead in overtime thanks to a 14-yard scoring run from junior tailback C.J Zimmerman.
Mitch Tordoff took a sack on Monroe's first play from scrimmage in overtime, but he bounced back to throw the touchdown to McArdle on the ensuing play.
According to Miller, there was no doubt in his mind his team was going to try for the win rather than force another round of overtime.
"I didn't even have a chance to decide if we are going for one or two," Miller said. "My kids decided for me."
The Cheesemaker coach also said he could not have asked for more from his squad in a victory that came on Fort Atkinson's homecoming weekend.
They are very deserving of this win tonight," said Miller.
"This gives us life," he continued. "Now (our record is) 2-3 and our kids are feeling pretty confident about themselves."
