Monroe City excels playing ‘old-school football,’ grinds way into Class 1 state semifinals

By Steve Eighinger | November 19, 2022
Monroe City’s Gabriel Creel, left, tackles Lincoln’s Ross Johnson during Saturday’s Class 1 state quarterfinal game at Lankford Field in Monroe City, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

MONROE CITY, Mo. — The bottom line? “Now we’ve got the chance to play 48 more minutes,” said Monroe City running back Ceaton Pennewell, only moments after his club had survived a grueling Class 1 quarterfinal test Saturday afternoon against Lincoln. Monroe City’s 26-12 victory at Lankford Field did not come easy.  If nothing else,…

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Final four bound: Hultz, Canton keep Braymer off-balance in state quarterfinal victory

By Steve Eighinger | October 22, 2022
The Canton softball team celebrates following its 10-0 victory over Braymer on Saturday in the Class 1 state quarterfinals at the Cotton Bowl in Canton, Mo. | Submitted photo

CANTON, Mo. — Canton catcher Kinsey Biggerstaff said Emma Hultz has one pitch in particular that stands out in her nasty repertoire of off-speed offerings. “It’s her changeup,” Biggerstaff said matter-of-factly. And Hultz, a junior right-hander, doesn’t disagree with her battery mate’s assessment. “The change is my No. 1 pitch,” she said with absolutely no…

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Tale of two halves tells story of Monroe City’s loss in Class 1 state quarterfinals

By Tom Davis, Special to MuddyRiverSports.com | November 21, 2021
Monroe City junior linebacker Landon Utterback strips Hayti quarterback Tray'von Thomas during the Panthers' Class 1 state quarterfinal game against Hayti on Saturday in Hayti, Mo. Photo courtesy Tom Davis

HAYTI, Mo. — For 24 minutes Saturday, the Monroe City football team did what no other team has done all year. The Panthers physically dominated Hayti in the Class 1 state quarterfinal and the scoreboard showed it, as Monroe City took a 22-0 lead into the intermission. But a high school football game is 48…

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