Monarchs run rampant over Toads

Exeter Monarchs running back Cameron Loeffler ran through,by, and around the Coalinga Horned Toads’ defense Thursday night, racking up 198 yards rushing and five touchdowns on his way to help secure the Monarchs’ eighth win of the season by a score of 42-14.

The Exeter rushing attack, led by Loeffler, produced 305 yards total and accounted for all six of the Monarchs’ touchdowns.

Despite the win, Exeter Coach Ben White said after the game that “We didn’t play with our normal intensity tonight.” 

Although the Monarchs were not completely satisfied withtheir 42-14 victory over Coalinga, they can be consoled by the fact that they stand at 8-0 on the season.

The Monarchs will face off against the Kingsburg Vikings next Friday night, Nov. 7 at home. The Vikings are the only other undefeated team in the East Sequoia League and this game looks as if it will decide who wins the division.

“[Kingsburg] has a great quarterback in Tyler Bray, they also have a good defense and are undefeated this season.” Coach White said. “We will really have to focus on stopping their receivers. It will be a tough testfor us”

The Exeter secondary played incredibly well against the Horned Toads, intercepting five of quarterback Moses Flores’ passes. 

“Cameron had two, Pedro Saldana had two and Michael Gary had the one near the end,” White said.

The Horned Toads took to the field at their own 17 yard line after receiving the opening kickoff. On their second play of the game, Flores dropped back for a pass and delivered, but the pass was snatched out of the air by Loeffler. 

Loeffler would intercept a second Flores’ pass with just three minutes left in the half and return the interception 21 yards down to the Horned Toads’ six yard line.

The interception set up a three-play scoring drive that ended on a one-yard dive into the end zone by Loeffler.

“Our whole defense played great tonight. The two scores we gave up were after turnovers by our second string offense,” White said.

The Monarchs were leading 42-0 after running back JonContreras scored from 63 yards out on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Exeter’s defense held the Horned Toads to no points on their first nine possessions.

The Horned Toads were finally able to end the scoring drought after a Sean Elium fumble on the Monarch 30-yard line. 

The Horned Toads took advantage of the short field and scored off a rush by Cody Wells. Coalinga’s two-point attempt failed and the Monarchs led 42-6 with six minutes left.

The Monarchs’ second string offense continued to have it rough after another fumble, this time caused by a bad exchange between the center and quarterback on their own seven yard line.

Despite the short field, the Monarchs defense had the Horned Toads stopped at fourth and inches just outside of the goal line.

The Horned Toads would score on their last change with a connection between Flores and wide receiver Carlos Hernandez.

Coalinga was successful on their second two point attempt and brought the score to 42-14 with just under four minutes left.