Mexico hasn’t played Monroe City before, but the Panthers still felt familiar.

Just like Mexico has found offensive success over the years running the ball, Monroe City had done the same, including with a trip to the Class 2 Final Four last year and by receiving votes in this year’s state poll. Still, the Bulldogs won 26-6 at Monroe City (1-2) after they scored 20 unanswered points.

Rushing yards were about even with Monroe City finishing with 246 yards and with Mexico tallying 238 yards. Head coach Steve Haag said Mexico has played against a run-heavy offense a bunch already this season with its first two opponents being Class 2 No. 1 Centralia and rival Fulton, so the team felt prepared for Monroe City.

“The kind of physical games we’ve played the last couple weeks have really helped us,” Haag said. “We got into a little bit of the same type of grind on the defense early in the game. Toward the end of the first game, we seemed to figure it out.”

Haag said the defense had to grind because it couldn’t get off the field initially against Monroe City. Mexico is also similar to Monroe City in that way as the Bulldogs had a touchdown drive go for 13 plays in the second half while the Panthers’ touchdown drive lasted 12 plays.

Before that drive, Haag said Mexico had a key momentum play. Logan Hilderman captured an interception to set up Mexico’s first touchdown. Kyler Benne intercepted Monroe City on its third drive.

“They have that same (longer drive) mentality as us, so we were kind of surprised they threw the ball there (on the Hilderman interception),” Haag said. “That got the momentum swung in our favor. They came back down and scored, but after that, we pretty much controlled the game from there.”

Monroe City was still without its all-conference quarterback Wyatt DeGrave, and Haag said Monroe City was younger with other key injuries. However, it was still a physical game, and it was necessary for Mexico to run the ball well. He said they did it in a balanced way.

There were eight Bulldogs who had at least one rushing attempt. The quarterback Benne led with 71 yards and two touchdowns on six carries, D’Naz Smith had 37 yards and one touchdown on six carries, James Matthews finished with 55 yards on four carries, and the season’s leading tackler Kael Smith had 45 yards on eight carries.

“We were doing a good job of getting what the defense gave us and moving the football,” Haag said. “The yardage was pretty even across the board. They did a heck of a job. It’s a credit to them for running hard and a credit to the offensive line.”

On defense, Kael Smith led with 18 tackles, Roman Kelly had 10 tackles and Antonio Mendoza had seven tackles. 

Mexico hosts Marshall (1-2) at 7 p.m. Friday.