Monett Cubs air attack grounded by Strafford Indian footballers

In football, there are three possible outcomes when a team throws the ball, two of which are bad. On Friday, Monett saw first the result of those two bad results in incomplete and intercepted passes in a 69-14 loss to Strafford.
A tumultuous second quarter, more specifically a 3:30 stint of the quarter doomed any chance of victory as Strafford (2-0) scored 28 consecutive points taking a 14-6 lead to a 42-6 fueled by three successive Monett (0-2) interceptions that set up short fields.
“I still feel like we are on the cusp of putting all things together,” said Ben Mauk, Monett coach. “The score is what the score is, but our defense played well. They were just put in tough spots because we struggled to make some easy completions. We were flat to start the game and that is something that we will fix.”
The Cubs put the ball in the air 61 times and completed 33 for 293 yards, but also threw five interceptions that resulted in four Stafford scoring drives.
Monett was credited with nine rushing attempts for negative 13 yards.
Carson Nestleroad caught nine passes for 87 yards and Landyn Brandt hauled in nine passes for 80 yards and one touchdown. Alex Meeks recorded the other Cubs score.
“This is something that we can learn and regroup from,” Mauk said. “I still believe in our kids and hopefully they believe in us. We are going to correct these things. Finish drives. We are going to have games like this and nights like this but we are going to change things and the culture around here.”
The Cubs turn their attention to longtime rival Aurora (0-2) and will open the home portion of their schedule on Friday.
“We expect to get their best,” Mauk said. “We are going to be ready,”
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.