In less than two minutes last Friday, the Monroe Seminoles put seven points on the scoreboard again the River Pilots, who struggled throughout the game to stop their opponent, but were mostly unsuccessful. By game’s end the Pilots had lost their third game of the 2009 season 54 to 7.

River’s starting team has suffered several injuries in the first two games this year and Friday’s game once again saw more injured players sidelined.

With 4:07 left in the first quarter, Monroe’s Tyler Kitchen scored the Seminoles’ second touchdown make the score 14 to 0.

On the kickoff, a Pilot pass play was intercepted by Colin Hogue, who returned the ball for a touchdown with a little less than four minutes left in the first quarter. The score was now 21 to 0.

On their next possession, the Pilots were once again intercepted by Kitchen, who carried it in for another Monroe Central touchdown and a 28-0 lead with one minute left in the first quarter.

After the Pilots regained the ball it was again lost to the Seminole defensive unit. Pilot freshman quarterback Tony Caldwell was sacked on six yard line, resulting in good field position for the Seminoles to run it in early in the second quarter. The two-point conversion failed and score stood at 34-0 with 10:15 left in the first half.

Monroe Central’s John Muntz then scored on a 24 yard run, giving them a 41-0 advantage with 6:09 left in the half.

To start the second half, River fumbled the kick off at the 16 yard line and Monroe recovered. Seminole Corey Lafar ran the ball into the zone for another touchdown, making the score 48-0 after a successful point after.

In the third quarter, Tyler Jeffers scored for the Pilots on a one-yard run to make the score 48-7 after a good PAT. River then recovered a Seminole fumble and made an attempt to put points on the board with a field goal. However, Tanner Wright’s attempt failed.

With 7:51 left in the game, Monroe pushed its advantage to 54-7 on a 67 yard run back and the last scoring of the game.

The Pilots struggled all night to put together a successful drive. But, good defensive play by the Seminoles combined with missed opportunities by the Pilots to stymie River’s efforts. However, the Pilots played 100 percent right up until the final seconds ticked off the clock.