Moniteau’s Logan Campbell and Defense Key to Victory Over ECC
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Phil Myers | September 1, 2023
Every once in a while, good players have great games. Every once in a while, defenses appear to be really focused, create turnovers, pressure the quarterback, and allow no breathing room for the opposing offense. That every once in a while occurred twice in last night’s game when Moniteau’s Logan Campbell scored four touchdowns and the Warrior defense forced seven turnovers and limited Elk County Catholic to less than 100 yards on their way to a 34-14 triumph at Dutch Country Stadium in St. Marys.
Logan Campbell, Moniteau.
The winning coach, Bob Rottman, was really proud of Campbell and of his defense. “Logan played a great game,” stated Rottman about his senior running back. “Our defense played really well and was in on their quarterback (Charlie Geci) all night.” In fact, Elk County only completed three passes and none of those were in the second half. Rottman added, “This is a confidence booster for us going forward. We have to clean up some things, but we played well enough to win and that is what counts.”
Moniteau opened the scoring at the seven-minute mark of the first, when on a 4th and 7 at the twelve, quarterback Trent Beachem hit Kole Scott with a little swing pass and Scott did the rest weaving his way into the end zone. Ashton Grossman booted the PAT and Moniteau led 7-0. The 15-yard scoring drive came about by a recovery of an ECC fumble.
Noah Cherry fielded the ensuing kickoff at the 22, found a seam, made a cut or two and raced down the Moniteau sideline for a 78-yard kickoff return. Blaine Jamison blocked the extra point attempt and Moniteau still led 7-6. After an exchange of punts, the Warriors drove 56 yards in nine plays to score again. The drive was capped by a Beachem to Campbell screen pass that resulted in a 24-yard touchdown. It was Campbell’s first of four scores and came just seconds into the second quarter. A botched snap proved to be a good omen as Mathew Baptiste, the holder, picked up the ball and dashed in for two points to increase the Warrior lead to 15-6.
This is where the game became a bit of a comedy of errors. Both teams turned the ball over twice in the next three minutes. After the second Elk County turnover where Brendin Sankey made the pick at the Warrior 5, the Crusaders’ Alex Gahr sacked the Moniteau quarterback in the end zone for a safety with 1:08 left in the half. This brought the Moniteau lead down to one possession. On the free kick by Moniteau, the Crusaders had a nice return to the 37-yard line of the visitors. On the first play Geci found Will Wortman on a crossing route and hit him for the score. The first try for two points was successful but was negated by a penalty. After a 5-yard penalty the Crusaders tried to kick the point but Jamison blocked his second PAT of the night. Fifty-five seconds remained and Elk County drew to within one at 15-14. Moniteau proceeded to the ECC 17, but time expired before they could do any damage on the scoreboard.
The second half was all Moniteau as Elk County could not do a thing offensively thanks in part to the Warrior defense. The Crusaders threw three picks and lost a fumble in half number two. Meanwhile, Campbell made it 22-14 four minutes into the third when he scooted 65 yards. “I saw a hole and made a cut and found some space,” was the way he described the play. “It really feels good to get a win,” Campbell added.
With two minutes left in the third, Campbell struck again. This time it was on a 4th down 13-yard pass play. Following a botched punt in the 4th quarter by the Crusaders where a short punt was fumbled forward so far that the Moniteau punter recovered the ball, Campbell scored his fourth TD and the game’s last TD. He blasted in from the five to set the final at 34-14.
Three Warrior players had 100 yards of offense. Campbell had 14 carries for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Scott had 116 yards on 15 totes. Beachem threw for 128 yards and 3 scores. Moniteau goes to 1-1 for the young season, while Elk County has failed to win in two tries. Moniteau has a home game with Cameron County next week, while Elk County Catholic travels to Bucktail.
Score by Quarters:
Moniteau – 7 8 13 6 – 34
Elk County – 6 8 0 0 – 14
Scoring Summary:
First Quarter:
M – Kole Scott 12-yard pass from Trent Beachem, (Ashton Grossman PAT), 7:03
ECC – Noah Cherry 78-yard kickoff return, (PAT blocked), 6:49
Second Quarter:
M – Logan Campbell 24-yard pass from Beachem, (Mathew Balptiste 2-pt), 11:43
ECC – Safety when Moniteau QB tackled in end zone by Alex Gahr, 1:08
ECC – Will Wortman 37-yard pass from Charlie Geci, (PAT blocked), 1:02
Third Quarter:
M – Campbell 65-yard run, (Grossman PAT), 7:53
M – Campbell 13*yard pass from Beachem, (PAT failed), 2:04
Fourth Quarter:
M – Campbell 5-yard run, (2-pt run failed), 1:38
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