Slow start dooms Cubs

A slow start led to a 22-0 deficit that proved too big of a hole for the Monett football team to climb out of in a 52-38 loss to Seneca on Friday.
 
Trailing 22-0, the Cubs finally got on the scoreboard with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Dylan Washick to Brayden Seitz with 7:02 left in the first half.
 
Washick next found Carson Nestleroad for a 14-yard strike with 1:02 left in the half to make it 30-16 Indians at the intermission.
 
"There were some things that didn't go our way in the first and you can't control that," said Ben Mauk, Monett coach. "We shot ourselves in the foot. You can't have penalties and we know that. After we talked at halftime we played better."
 
Seneca increased its lead to 46-16 with 9:38 left in the third quarter, but Monett roared back.
 
Washick connected with Nestleroad for touchdown passes of 47 and 26 yards and added a 3-yard touchdown pass to Seitz with 10:36 left in the fourth quarter to trim the advantage to 46-38.
 
That would be as close as Monett could get, thanks in large part to 353 rushing yards by the Indians, who added another 120 yards through the air.
 
Washick completed 35 of 48 passes for 463 yards. Nestleroad caught 13 passes for 210 yards.
 
"We want to win every game," Mauk said. "But we showed some character in how we battled back and gave ourselves a chance."
 
Monett returns home Friday to face McDonald County. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.