By Nathan Coates, Contributing Writer 1:28 AM Saturday, September 19, 2009
MONROE — Devin King scored in each extra period Friday night, Sept. 18, willing Monroe to a 28-21 double-overtime win over visiting Bellbrook.
“This proved that we don’t give up,” King said. “It shows that you’ve got to execute and go out and do your job.”
King did his part, carrying the ball on eight of Monroe’s 10 overtime plays, racking up 38 of the team’s 40 yards. In regulation, he ran 21 times for 121 yards.
“We knew we needed to get the ball into the hands of one of our better players, and he got us yards when we needed it,” said Monroe coach Ken Meibers, whose team improved to 3-1.
After King’s second score it looked like Bellbrook (0-4) would tie it, relying on freshman running back Daveon Greene to set up a first-and-goal on the 5. Greene had six overtime runs for 17 yards and two catches for 19 yards, accounting for virtually all of the Golden Eagles’ offense.
But the Hornet defense stiffened, thanks in large part to a third down tackle in the backfield by Logan Pence. On fourth and goal from the 4, Bellbrook was forced to pass and the throw fell incomplete to end the game.
Pence is the team’s center, but Meibers said the team uses him on the defensive line in tough defensive situations. Earlier in the game, he blocked an extra point.
“It’s a huge win for us,” Meibers said. “When you think that a year ago at this time we were 0-4, this feels pretty good.”
The game featured two lengthy delays — one for an injured Monroe player who needed to be taken off in an ambulance for precautionary measures related to a possible concussion — and another related to a discrepancy over a rule interpretation.
As the second half started, Monroe attempted an onside kick. Kicker Zack Eckert swept the ball to his left and Ben Leahy snatched it out of the air with no Bellbrook players around. The officials ruled it Bellbrook’s ball because the ball did not hit the ground before Monroe touched it, and then a 10-minute huddle ensued at midfield as both coaches and four officials read over the rule book.
Meibers said Monroe will continue to follow up to make sure future officials are on the same page, because the play gave the Golden Eagles a short field that eventually led to their second score, putting them up 14-7 in the third quarter.
A 40-yard punt return by Zach Fugate set the Hornets up on a short field early in the fourth. Quarterback David Routson then hit Travis Hacker for an 11-yard gain followed up by a 34 yard touchdown pass to tie it.
The Hornets had two more chances to win in regulation, but field-goal attempts of 44 and 46 yards were both short, setting up the overtime periods.
Monroe opens Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division play next Friday night at Madison.
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