Monroe Central

Monroe Central 21, Wes-Del 14 The Monroe Central football team earned a hard-fought 21-14 victory over rival Wes-Del Friday night to once again claim the Harvest Helmet Classic. The result for the Golden Bears (3-3) was also win No. 100 at the school for head coach John Hochstetler, who has won more than 66 percent of his games since taking over the program in 2012. Friday night’s Homecoming matchup in Parker City was a defensive slugfest. Monroe Central’s last two touchdowns were earned on that side of the ball, as Ethan Hunt picked off the Warriors’ final pass attempt of the first half and returned it 52 yards for a touchdown, tying the game at 14 heading into the break. That score remained until the 9:48 mark in the fourth quarter. Wes-Del (2-3) was threatening, driving the ball inside the Monroe Central 5-yard line, but Luke Anderson was able to strip the Warrior ball carrier at the 6, which was recovered by Caden Dance, who sprinted 92 yards to pay dirt for the eventual game-winning score. The Golden Bears had just 151 yards of total offense on the night. Hunt led the way with nine carries for 45 yards, while Caleb Luedike had a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to cut the Warrior lead to 14-7. The play capped a 14-play, 47-yard drive that took 5:20 off the clock. Wes-Del, meanwhile, was held to just 220 yards of total offense. The Golden Bears forced four turnovers in all — the aforementioned Hunt interception and Anderson/Dance strip play; another forced fumble by Julius Ullom that was recovered by Travis Reed — also inside the Monroe Central 10-yard line — midway through the second quarter; and a forced fumble by Reed that was recovered by Anderson at the 4:26 mark of the third quarter. With the win, Monroe Central improves to 17-2 all-time in its series against Wes-Del, including wins in 16 straight, counting IHSAA Tournament play. The Golden Bears return to action next Friday, when they play host to Osceola Grace. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.