Monroe City bringing ‘lunch pail’ mentality to the field as seniors take ownership

MONROE CITY, Mo. — The late August heat wave driving temperatures into the mid-90s and sending heat indexes to 105 degrees or higher this week forced Monroe City football coach David Kirby to alter the practice schedule.

It might have been for the best.

The Panthers chose to practice in the evening, essentially simulating a game night scenario. It produced some of the most competitive practices of the past three weeks.

“The kids have been flying around,” Kirby said. “That time, that slot, I guess it just flips a switch in a lot of kids where they’re like, ‘It’s game time.’ It’s been really good and really fun.”

Even better, in Kirby’s estimation, is the ownership the upperclassmen are taking to ensure the Panthers have success.

“We told them in our offseason meetings to be the leader you wanted as a freshman,” Kirby said.

So far, they have. Kirby noted how during position-specific drills he will see senior center William Ball coaching a freshman lineman or senior running back Joshua Talton working with a sophomore skill position player.

“One of the biggest things I like is how positive this group is with each other,” Kirby said. “They’ve been so coachable, but they’ve also been an extension of the coaching staff.”

The wealth of experience the Panthers’ starters enjoy makes that possible.

Kyle Hays enters his third year as the starting quarterback, and Talton returns after receiving third-team all-state honors as he led the Panthers with 889 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns, averaging 6.8 yards per carry. He also averaged 10.1 yards per reception. 

Junior linebacker Ceaton Pennewell earned all-state honors as a sophomore with 83 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, two sacks, two blocked kicks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. Sophomore linebacker Waylon DeGrave made invaluable plays as a freshman and understands the game as well as anyone on the roster.

“It’s been neat to see a 14-year-old freshman look up to a Joshua or Josiah Talton and see them embrace that and talk it up with the freshman,” Kirby said. “You say to yourself, ‘He really does care about his teammates.’ I’m so pleased with that.”

Having Hays’ presence is equally rewarding.

He threw for more than 1,000 yards last season with 12 touchdowns and rushed for more than 300 yards with four scores. He understands the offense and will use Joshua Talton out of the backfield and Josiah Talton at wide receiver just as much as he’ll look for Deion White at tight end or DeGrave in a variety of places.

Hays also is a returning all-conference kick returner, reinforcing his rugged, scrappy demeanor.

“It is nice to be able to put the ball in his hands and let him wheel and deal in the option game or take control with the pass,” Kirby said. “He’s a great one. I’m blessed to have coached him.”

Kirby says that about a group he calls “lunch pail guys” because of their dogged work ethic.

“They put on the pads and just go play,” Kirby said. “They don’t give up. That’s a pleasure to see.”