Monroe Central

Monroe Central 19, Winchester 16 The Monroe Central football team opened up its 2024 season with a gritty 19-16 home victory over Winchester. Down 16-13 heading into the fourth quarter, the Golden Bears (1-0) would use an eight-play, 68-yard drive to pull ahead, as quarterback Lane Wilson punched the ball into the end zone from one yard out, giving his team a three-point lead. The two teams would trade punches the rest of the quarter, but with six minutes to go, the Golden Falcons (0-1) faced a 4th and 4 from the Golden Bears’ 38. While they earned the yards needed on the ground to move the chains on the play, Monroe Central’s Justus Ullom would punch the ball out, which was recovered by teammate Dylan Summers at the 28, ending the Winchester rally. The Golden Falcons would get one more try to re-claim the lead late, but would turn the ball over on downs on a key tackle by Elijah Goodspeed at the Monroe Central 25-yard line. Wilson would kneel it out from there to give the Golden Bears the victory. It was a run-heavy approach all night for both teams. Monroe Central ran the ball 41 times for 256 yards (6.24 average) on the night, led by Jerimiah Ullom, who had six carries for 122 yards and a 74-yard first-quarter touchdown run. Justus Ullom added 13 rushing attempts for 71 yards and a touchdown, while Ethan Hunt ran the ball 16 times for 79 yards. Three Golden Bears defenders tied for team-high honors with nine tackles apiece: Peyton Farmer, Goodspeed (who also had a sack) and Travis Reed. Justus Ullom had six tackles and two forced fumbles on the night. Monroe Central next week travels to take on Union City.