Photo by Kim North Burnsville quarterback Casey Carpenter stands back and looks for a pass. The Shamrocks travel to take on Monroe Central in a battle of undefeated teams Friday at 7 p.m.
WOODFIELD — Something has to give on the natural grass surface here at Monroe Memorial Park Friday night when Burnsville visits Monroe Central. Both teams are undefeated (7-0) and ranked in the state.
The Shamrocks are ranked sixth in Division V, Region 19 entering the 7 p.m. kickoff, while the Seminoles are seventh in Division VI, Region 23.
Burnsville leads the series with a record of 42-24-2 (including the game against Woodsfield High School), including a five-game winning streak against Monroe Central and wins in six of the last seven games. They have an advantage of 15 wins and 9 losses. The Seminoles won 36-14 in 2017 and won eight straight championships from 2008 to 2015.
The rivals have played every year since 1999, when they met twice (once in the playoffs), but did not play during the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The scoreboard operator could be the busiest man in this game, as both teams have high-scoring offenses and stingy defenses. Burnsville is averaging 52.6 points and scoring just 5.3 points per game, while Monroe Central is scoring 47.6 and 7.1 points, respectively. The Shamrocks have scored at least 44 points in each game and have won three consecutive shutout games, but have only given up double digits twice (16 to Fort Frye). The Seminoles have scored at least 34 points in each game and have three shutouts, two of which have come in the last two weeks.
Both head coaches, Burnsville’s Blake Allen and Monroe Central’s Jonathan Calder, are impressed with what they see from their opponents.
“We’ve played some good teams this season, but they’re by far the best team we’ve played.” Allen emphasized the Seminoles. “They have some really athletic kids. They throw spread out, but they can also run the ball. Defensively, they fly around to the ball and are very fast.”
Calder said “They’re a good, sound football team. They don’t do anything special. They run the ball at you and make you stop it.”
Both teams have excellent quarterbacks in Casey Carpenter (Burnsville) and Tucker Howell (Monroe Central). Both were named East Regional Offensive Player of the Year in 2023, and their performances have carried over into this season.
Carpenter, a southpaw, completed 54-of-70 passes (77 percent) for 915 yards and 16 touchdowns. Howell completed 51-of-81 (63 percent) for 1,228 yards and 18 TDs.
“Casey’s decision-making this year has been outstanding.” Allen said. He’s very calm there and puts the ball in the right places.
“Howell’s biggest draw is his ability to extend his play.” Allen continued. “You might think you forced him into a break play, and the next thing you know, he was going 70 yards for a touchdown. We have to work very disciplined on defense. You have to make a mass tackle on him when you have the chance.”
Howell ran 46 times for 651 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Calder said they are lucky to have a player like Howell.
“He’s a hell of a player. He’s pretty special. He can run the ball, he can throw the ball. He’s got a very strong arm, but he’s not very sensitive with the ball. In my opinion, he’s a legitimate college quarterback, but it’s hard to get noticed at the Division VI level.
But Burnsville is not a one-man team, and sophomore tailback Trey Tolliver is also a favorite of Coach Calder.
“Their running backs were the toughest I’ve seen in a while.” Monroe Central’s head coach pointed out that.
Tolliver has gained 728 yards and 10 touchdowns on just 67 attempts, averaging 10.8 per carry. Coby Jones had 39 carries for 354 yards and eight touchdowns.
“Trey is special. He’s a student of the game. He’s eager to learn and get better every day in practice. Coby is an unselfish player.” Allen added. “He does a lot of the dirty work like blocking, but he’s a physical runner.”
Cam Carpenter is an unsung hero of Burnsville. The junior is the top receiver with 16 receptions for 299 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 11 yards a carry on eight trips with the ball and also scored a TD. Defensively, he recorded 29 total tackles, recovered two fumbles, picked off a pass and had another break-off. He is also a special teams terrorist.
“Cam is a coach’s dream. He’s like a coach on the field.” Allen said.
Calder said the Seminoles’ success is due to leadership.
“It really helps that we have 13 seniors. This is the season we were looking for. It’s my second year as a head coach, but it’s also the same playbook, the same coaching staff for the kids. It’s the eyes.” he said. “It’s a good group of kids here. We have five or six skilled players who can challenge at any time.”
In addition to Cam Carpenter, Casey Carpenter’s favorite targets for passes include Brady McIntyre (18-370, 9 TDs), Eli Messenger (4-82-2), and Colt Carpenter (11 (wins, 93 losses, 1 draw).
AJ Rutter (31-273), Cooper Howell (28-268-6) and Evan Knowlton (14-221-3) give Monroe Central additional firepower on the ground. Cooper Howell is the top receiver (16-326-2) and Chance Allen (10-425-7) is a deep threat. Corbin Farnsworth (8-240-4) adds depth to the receiving corps.
Both teams have excellent placekickers in Evan Ruff (Burnsville) and Wyatt Cohen (Monroe Central). Lau set a program record for PATs in the first game of the season, making 42 of 45 this season. Cohen finished 29th out of 43.
Farnsworth leads the Seminoles with 61 total tackles and 11 quarterback sacks, while Hines Ford has a team-high 63 total tackles for the Shamrocks.
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