Monroe Central

Fort Wayne Blackhawk 42, Monroe Central 22 The Monroe Central football team fell on the road Friday night to Fort Wayne Blackhawk, 42-22, at Woodlan Junior/Senior High School’s Etzler Field. The Braves (3-4) scored touchdowns on their first three possessions of the first half, converting several key third- and fourth-down tries in the process, to take a 22-8 lead going into halftime. The Golden Bears (2-3) got it as close as 29-14 with 5:55 left in the third quarter, thanks to a four-yard touchdown run by Carson Siekmann. Monroe Central then forced a missed 32-yard field goal attempt on the ensuing Blackhawk drive, setting the Golden Bears up with a prime opportunity, down 15 with 14 seconds left in the third quarter. But an interception three plays later would halt that momentum, and then a Braves pick-six on the next Monroe Centrql drive ended all hopes of a comeback. The Golden Bears had 330 yards of total offense on the night. Quarterback Elias Hart completed 19-of-34 passes for 277 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Siekmann had a team-best 117 yards from scrimmage, including six receptions for 75 yards and seven rushes for 42 yards and the aforementioned touchdown. Leum Butler had a team-best seven receptions for 108 yards. Luke Anderson and Caden Dance (four receptions, 83 yards) also had touchdown receptions for Monroe Central Anderson led the Golden Bears’ defense with 10 tackles. He also forced a late fumble inside the Golden Bears’ 5-yard line that was recovered by Kaden Sullivan. Nic Cope and Carson Cruse also had eight tackles apiece. Monroe Central will play host to Indianapolis Tindley next Friday. 7:30 p.m. kickoff. Then it will travel to take on Knightstown to wrap up the regular season.