FORT ATKINSON - Monroe senior quarterback Alex Barenklau found a rhythm in the second half but the Cheesemakers' rally fell short in a 28-14 loss to Fort Atkinson Friday night.
Fort Atkinson (1-1, 1-0 Badger South) scored four first-half touchdowns to build a 28-0 halftime lead. Barenklau put the Cheesemakers on the board with a 10-yard TD pass to junior Charlie Kind in the third quarter. Barenklau then changed a play in the fourth quarter and scored on a 2-yard quarterback sneak to cut the Blackhawks' lead to 14 points. The Cheesemakers had a drive late in the fourth quarter thwarted to seal the game.
"It was nice to see our kids were able to respond to adversity instead of folding," Monroe coach Curt Miller said. "Alex Barenklau and Charlie Kind had big second halfs."
Barenklau completed 19 of 33 passes for 151 yards and one touchdown. Kind caught six passes for 91 yards and one touchdown. One week after rushing for 220 total yards, the Cheesemakers were limited to just 46 yards on the ground.
Miller was surprised at Barenklau's audible when he scored a touchdown on the quarterback sneak.
"We were all looking for the ball," Miller said. "He changed the play. It was a heads-up play. He saw a window and he took it. That's what a great does."
Monroe (1-1, 0-1 Badger South) will look to pick up its first conference win when they host Madison Edgewood next week.
"Hopefully, we can build some momentum to get ready for Edgewood next week," he said.
Fort Atkinson (1-1, 1-0 Badger South) scored four first-half touchdowns to build a 28-0 halftime lead. Barenklau put the Cheesemakers on the board with a 10-yard TD pass to junior Charlie Kind in the third quarter. Barenklau then changed a play in the fourth quarter and scored on a 2-yard quarterback sneak to cut the Blackhawks' lead to 14 points. The Cheesemakers had a drive late in the fourth quarter thwarted to seal the game.
"It was nice to see our kids were able to respond to adversity instead of folding," Monroe coach Curt Miller said. "Alex Barenklau and Charlie Kind had big second halfs."
Barenklau completed 19 of 33 passes for 151 yards and one touchdown. Kind caught six passes for 91 yards and one touchdown. One week after rushing for 220 total yards, the Cheesemakers were limited to just 46 yards on the ground.
Miller was surprised at Barenklau's audible when he scored a touchdown on the quarterback sneak.
"We were all looking for the ball," Miller said. "He changed the play. It was a heads-up play. He saw a window and he took it. That's what a great does."
Monroe (1-1, 0-1 Badger South) will look to pick up its first conference win when they host Madison Edgewood next week.
"Hopefully, we can build some momentum to get ready for Edgewood next week," he said.
