Monett Cubs suffer heartbreak to Lamar Tigers Friday night

Late Lamar touchdown dooms Monett, 27-24
 
 
Football on the high school level is a 60 minute game. For 58 minutes and 58 seconds on Friday, Oct. 10, Monett never trailed behind Lamar, but a late Tigers’ touchdown with 1:02 left in regulation allowed Lamar to celebrate its Homecoming with a 27-24 victory.
The loss was a gut punch for the Cubs as it was not one major thing that went wrong but multiple small things that culminated in defeat being snatched from the jaws of victory.
“I think we came out in the first half and played well,” said Ben Mauk, Monett coach. “There were a lot of little mistakes that we can correct and get better at. I like our team. We have to find ways to get better and I have to find ways to get us in the endzone. We didn’t score in the second half and that is on me.”
Monett led 24-14 at halftime and twice drove to the Lamar 11-yard line but failed to come away with points.
Penalties on both drives stymied the Cubs once they entered the red zone.
“You never want to lose a game but you want to build off of each week,” Mauk said. “Defensively, we did some good things. We are on the right trajectory, but this will be a good film to watch and get better from.”
Monett seemed to have the game in hand, leading 24-20 driving to the Lamar 11 with 4:32 left in the fourth quarter, but the Cubs turned the ball over on downs at the 17.
The Tigers marched 83 yards in eight plays with Tarren Williams running in from 24-yards out for a touchdown with 1:02 remaining.
The following kickoff was a line-drive that caromed off a Monett player and was recovered by the Tigers to seal the victory.
The Cubs were on fire in the first quarter taking the opening kickoff and March 64 yards in six plays. Carson Nestleroad hauled in a 20-yard pass to help the Cubs to an 8-0 lead. The Cubs scored on their next drive with Alex Meeks recording an 8-yard catch to make it 16-6.
The Cubs third score of the first half was a Collin Umfleet rush with 35 seconds until halftime to allow Monett to lead 24-14 at intermission.
The Cubs were held to 335 yards of offense. Dylan Washick was 29 of 42 passing for 253 yards and two touchdowns.
Lamar rushed for 291 yards on 49 carries and threw for 45 yards.
Meeks led the way for the Cubs with eight catches for 110 yards. Umfleet rushed for 65 yards on 11 carries.
The Cubs committed 11 penalties for 75 yards. Lamar was flagged 15 times for 86 yards.
Monett returns home Friday to face Cassville in the Barry County Brawl. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.