Week 7 Roundup: Monarchs turn shootout into blowout

At halftime, the Exeter Monarchs found themselves in a tight game with a team that pounded them last year. 

But, just like they have all season, the Monarchs wore down their opponents in the second half.

Exeter outscored Selma 31-0 in the second half en route to a 62-28 victory.

“It was a freakin’ barn burner (in the first half),” coach Ben White said. “But we scored right away to start the second half and just took off from there.”

Bears running back Adrian Pacheco returned the game’s opening kickoff for a score and had more than 200 rushing yards in the first half.

But Selma couldn’t shut down Exeter’s star tailback either, as Cameron Loeffler rushed for a season-high 340 yards and five TDs. 

Loeffler has 31 TDs on this season.

White said his offensive line (Taylor Woods, Benny Padilla, Tony Vasquez, Mitch Knox and Eric Morgan) sparked the second-half turnaround.

“They just wore them down in the second half,” White said. “They always give him (Loeffler) holes to run through and tonight was no exception.”

Delano 42, Granite Hills 6

The Grizzlies’ running game did its job, as new tailback Tony Trujillo rushed for 170 yards on 40 carries.

But Delano still coasted past Granite Hills 42-6 to mark the Grizzlies’ eighth straight loss this season.

Coach Gary Stoddard has seen his rushing attack have success but it hasn’t translated into many points. 

“Our line’s blocking like crazy,” Stoddard said. “We pound every team we play, but we just can’t beat them. It’s really frustrating, but I’m proud of my team. They haven’t given up.”