No letdown as Arlington beats Monroe 35-15

ARLINGTON — It was both Senior Night and Homecoming at Arlington High School on Friday, and Eagles football coach Greg Dailer was concerned about a possible letdown.

He needn’t have worried.

Cashing in four first-half turnovers, Arlington jumped to a 21-0 halftime lead against visitin

g Monroe and went on to a 35-15 Wesco North victory behind four touchdowns from running back and wide receiver Colton Hordyk.

“I thought our kids played really tough,” said Dailer, whose team improved to 3-1 in league, 6-1 overall. “Monroe is a tough team and they run the ball really well, but we did a nice job of creating a bunch of turnovers in the first half.

“Senior Night is always a tough night and it’s Homecoming, so it’s hard to come out focused,” he said. “There are a lot of distractions. The seniors are real emotional and I’ve seen a lot of Senior Night letdowns. But I don’t think we had that tonight. So I was real proud of our kids.”

As explosive as the Eagles are offensively, it was the Arlington defense that set the tone. Monroe’s first three possessions all ended in turnovers — a fumble, interception and fumble — and Arlington turned two into touchdowns, with one a 2-yard run by Hordyk and the other a 31-yard pass reception by Hordyk from quarterback Blake McPherson.

Hordyk, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound senior, added a third TD on a 17-yard reception late in the second period.

Monroe had a chance to cut the deficit right before halftime, but a fourth turnover — another fumble — at the Arlington 5 ended a promising drive.

“We practice causing turnovers and stripping the ball every time we try to make a tackle,” said Arlington Adam Roehl, who is also the team’s center. “Obviously it had a great effect (on the outcome) when you win 35-15. … Turnovers win games. The more you have the ball, the more opportunities you have to score. So (turnovers) win and lose games.”

McPherson had a stellar first half, completing 16 of 24 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns. He passed more sparingly in the second half and finished 19-for-30 for 287 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.

“For the most part, Blake was really patient,” Dailer said. “He did a real nice job of taking what they gave us, and our (receivers) then made some plays after the catch.”

Monroe scored touchdowns on its first two offensive drives of the second half and then got a turnover of its own late in the third quarter. But Arlington’s defense rose to the challenge, stopping the Bearcats’ final two possessions on downs.

The Eagles, meanwhile, tacked on two more second half touchdowns, with Hordyk getting his fourth TD of the game on a 1-yard run and wide receiver Terry Dawn scoring on a 30-yard reception from McPherson.

Hordyk left the game with six minutes remaining after a hard tackle on a running play. He wobbled to the sideline and took a seat on the bench, where he was evaluated by the team’s medical staff.

“He got his bell rung,” Dailer said. “He just got hit pretty hard, but he was evaluated and it’s not a concussion. So he’s fine.”

Monroe coach Dick Abrams was pleased that his team competed well in the second half, but said the four first-half turnovers “killed us. … You can’t play a team like (Arlington) from a hole because they’re so good, so talented offensively. You have to do everything right against them.”

Monroe was led by running back Jordan Moore, a 6-2, 195-pound senior, who carried 29 times for 198 yards.

“He’s a workhorse,” Abrams said. “He’s plays like a tiger on defense, too, so he’s an all-around player. I hope people see how good he is because he’s a real all-star player.”

At Arlington H.S.

Monroe 0 0 15 0 — 15

Arlington 8 13 7 7 — 35

A–Hordyk 2 run (Hordyk run)

A–Hordyk 31 pass from McPherson (Hordyk kick)

A–Hordyk 17 pass from McPherson (run failed)

M–Judson 22 pass from Bingham (Moore run)

A–Hordyk 1 run (Hordyk kick)

M–Bingham 1 run (Felder kick)

A–Dawn 30 pass from McPherson (Herrera kick)

Records–Monroe 2-2 league, 4-3 overall. Arlington 3-1, 6-1