Wildcats Fall To Monroe County

Falcons Top Edmonson County 39-6 on Senior Night

Quarterback Zander Bass makes a move against Monroe County.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
The Wildcats fell to the Monroe County Falcons 39-6 on Friday, October 22nd on senior night 2021, for the final home game of the season.

Monroe County scored first as John Harlin rushed in with a 13-yard TD for the Falcons with 8:39 left in the 1st quarter. The Falcons led the Wildcats 7-0 after the extra point.

The Falcons scored again with 4:30 in the first after the Falcons returned to the red zone, this time with Jordan Page and a one-yard touchdown. The extra point was no good and Monroe County led the Wildcats 13-0.

Michael Mills (24) runs against the Falcons on Oct. 22, 2021.

A group of Wildcats take down Monroe County's Peyton Knudson.

After a Wildcat turnover, Monroe's Peyton Knudson scored on a 36-yard TD and the extra point extended the Falcon lead to 20-0 with 2:53 in the first.

The Falcons scored two more touchdowns before the half, but the extra points were no good. They led 32-0 at halftime.

The Wildcats were scrapping early in the third and finally got on the board after getting into the red zone. Matt Shaw pushed through with a 1-yard TD run. The Edmonson extra point attempt was no good and with 5:08 left to go in the third quarter, the Wildcats cut the Falcon lead to 32-6.

With the Monroe County quarterback Petett under pressure, he maneuvered out of a tackle and connected with John Harlin for a 24-yard touchdown as the clock ran out in the third. The extra point was good and the Falcons led 39-6.

ECHS Head Coach Ed Smart reacts to a play against Monroe County.

Coach Smart said last week that he wants any team he coaches to improve as the season goes on. He said he thought the first half of tonight's game didn't reflect much of that improvement, although he thought the Wildcats played better in the second half. While he wasn't happy with tonight's game, he credited his seniors for sticking through a very tough season.

"I feel bad for our seniors, it's been difficult," he said. "They took it pretty hard in there and that's why it took me a while to get up here. We talked about some things. Until you've played this, you don't quite understand what we're going through. We've talked about kids at school making fun of them and calling them losers. And you know how kids can be, and I've tried to explain to them that's why we have to stay together. It can be a cruel world and people are going to point things out, but I'm like, they don't understand all the time and the work these boys have put in, and they're trying to represent our school and community. They're trying to do the best they can and we're coming up short, but I mean it's not because we're not trying, and it's not because we're not out here. There's a lot of other kids walking the hallways that ain't out here, so I take my hat off to our kids because I'm proud of them."

Seniors on this year's roster included: Gage Abney, Ian Clark, Logan Davis, and Matt Shaw.

Members of the 2011 district championship team were recognized at halftime.

Youth Football League members were recognized at halftime.

During halftime, the 2011 ECHS Wildcat Football team was recognized on-field, which was one of the most successful at Edmonson County. The team won the first district championship for football that year since 1986. They enjoyed a perfect 11-0 regular season, coached by Kyle Pierce.

Also recognized were members of the 2021 youth football league. Dozens of future Wildcats were brought on the field and honored for their hard work this season.

Edmonson County is now 0-9 on the season and is scheduled to play Breckinridge County on the road next week for the final regular game of the season. The team is working on scheduling an extra game to possibly make up for one of the COVID cancellations they experienced earlier in the year.