Wildcats Earn First District Win Of Season Over Monroe

Edmonson County Blanks Falcons 33-0

Brock Stethen catches a 41-yard touchdown pass against Monroe County.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
Edmonson County defeated the Monroe County Falcons at Wildcat Stadium 33-0 on Thursday night for their first district win of the season. The regular Friday night game was moved to Thursday as a result of the start of fall break.

Monroe County struggled with penalties throughout the game and a fumble from the Falcons gave the Wildcats the ball on Monroe's 31 yard line with 1:56 to go in the first. An additional penalty was assessed against Monroe that put the Wildcats on the Falcon 16 yard line. Matt Shaw was able to push through after a couple plays for a 4 yard touchdown with 1:31 in the first and Clay Walden punched the extra point through for a 7-0 lead.

Matt Shaw runs the ball for the Edmonson County against Monroe.

Quarterback Jon Smith also fired up his passing game as he shot a 41 yard pass to Brock Stethen, who made a leaping catch in the end zone for another Wildcat touchdown with 5:31 left in the second quarter. Walden's extra point was good and the Cats lead 14-0. 

The Falcons turned the ball over once again and Edmonson County took over on Monroe's 46 yard line with 4:12 left in the half. The Wildcats were able to push into the red zone and it was Stethen again on a 6 yard touchdown pass from Smith. Walden's extra point landed upright again and the Wildcats extended the lead to 21-0, which would be the score at the half.

ECHS and youth cheerleaders work together as the game theme was a "pink-out" against breast cancer.

Clay Walden kicks an extra point as placekicker Isaiah Johnson holds against Monroe County.

Edmonson struck again in the third on another rushing touchdown from Matt Shaw, who had over 100 yard rushing on the night. The extra point missed this time but the Cats extended the lead to 27-0 and took that lead into the fourth.

​Chance Lucas helped the cause early in the fourth quarter with a 14 yard run for another Wildcat touchdown with 9:33 to go. Extra point was no good but Edmonson stretched their lead to 33-0.

Edmonson County assistant coach Ben Gray said the win was much needed, and the district win was certainly welcome. He noted the stellar play from Brock Stethen, who not only went for 75 yards, but also led the team in tackles.

"He is our best tackler, he's one of our most aggressive players, usually he's our best defensive player, and we usually try to move him around a lot," he said. "Pretty much whatever we ask him to do, he's going to do it."

Coach Grey said having quarterback Jon Smith up under center more than in shotgun was part of the game plan and it paid off tonight.

"We had been having some issues with some bad snaps so we worked on it and went back under center," he said. Monroe County also had some players out tonight and we were able to take advantage." 

Edmonson County is off next Friday for fall break but will take on Green County at home on October 18th. The Wildcats are now 2-5 on the season with three regular season games left on the year.