Monroe City Advances to State Title Game; Clark County Season Ends

There was good news and bad news for the Northeast Missouri/Clarence Cannon Conference representatives in the Missouri high school football semi finals Saturday.

The Monroe City Panthers advanced to the Class 1 state championship game for the second year in a row with a 28-14 win over East Buchanan at Lankford Field.

The two teams traded two-yard touchdown runs in the first quarter - Zach Osborn for the Panthers and the Bulldogs' Wyatt Shepherd.

Monroe City pulled away in the second period on a one yard run by Cole Pennewell and a 17 yard run by Keenan Batsell.

East Buchanan closed the gap to 20-14 with just under six minutes to go on a two yard run by Alex Lang, but the Panthers sealed the win on a six yard run by Pennewell in the final minute.

The 14-0 Panthers will try to win their first state title since 1996 when they take on 12-1 Ste. Genevieve Valle at 3 p.m. Saturday at Faurot Field in Columbia.

Meanwhile, at Kahoka, the Clark County Indians' bid for a place in the Class 2 championship fell short as they lost to Lafayette County 45-22.

The Huskers offense started fast, taking a 19-0 lead by the middle of the second quarter. The Indians battled back, closing the gap to 38-22 late in the third quarter, but could get no closer.

After starting the season 1-4, Clark County ends their season at 9-5, winning eight straight before the loss Saturday.

Lafayette County will play Lamar for the Class 2 title Friday in Columbia.