Saturday Rewind: Monroe City showcases old-fashioned ground-and-pound ability

MONROE CITY, Mo. — Although its offense is affectionately known as the “Sling-T,” the Monroe City football team still can dig in and grind an opponent into submission.

A 13-play, 99-yard drive Friday night against Centralia reaffirmed that.

Monroe City, ranked second in Class 1, rolled to a 44-6 victory in Clarence Cannon Conference by showcasing multiple weapons offensively and a stout defense that forced three turnovers. But after getting pinned at its 1-yard line, Monroe City went to went in an old-school manner.

“It was kind of the vintage Monroe City where we were like we’re going to run the ball and be aggressive,” Monroe City coach David Kirby said. “The offensive line was getting great, great blocks and our backs were finding holes. We were eating clock. It was a meticulous drive down the field.

“I liked that moxie. It was, ‘This is what we have to do.’ It kind of showcased how the whole night we were able to play aggressive and fast both defensively and offensively.”

And within that drive, Kirby saw the unselfish and mature manner of his players revealed.

Senior tailback Joshua Talton, an all-stater as a junior and one of the area’s most dynamic weapons, came to the sideline and told Kirby to run a play for wingback Landon Utterback.

“I asked him, ‘What do you see?’” Kirby said. “Josh was like, ‘He’s ready. He’s ready to make this play happen.’ Landon popped a little counter and Josh was able to carry out a great fake. They were keying so heavily on Josh, it opened up Landon and it opened up Ceaton (Pennewell) and our other runners.

“I thought that was a selfless act on Josh’s part. It’s what we’ve really been trying to build on with this team. It’s about playing selfless football, and they are really figuring it out. When they play for each other, a lot of good things could happen for them.”