Cubs’ potent offense lighting up scoreboard

By Jared Lankford Special to Monett Monthly

In 2021, the Kansas City Chiefs were forced to post an announcement on their video board that, due to the fact that the offense had scored so many points in its game, they no longer had any fireworks left to shoot after additional scores.

Monett’s football team had flirted with the idea of adding fireworks to be displayed after each score this season, a move they ultimately backed away from.

One thing is for certain: Even though the air above Burl Fowler Stadium still lacks pyrotechnics, the Cubs’ offense is supplying plenty of fireworks on the field.

Through its first five weeks of the season, the Cubs have amassed 256 total points — 51.2 points per game.

To put that into perspective, last year, through the same time period, Monett had only scored 108 total points and finished the season with 278 total points. In the two seasons before last year, the Cubs scored a total of 276 points,179 and 97, respectively.

When Ben Mauk took over the Cubs’ program last year, he promised he would bring a new style, and in year No. 2, he is delivering.

“Our philosophy is to try to get the ball in the hands of our playmakers in space and let them make plays,” Mauk said. “We have done a really good job of that this year. I think our experience and team chemistry have big our biggest factor for growth this year. These guys just get along and have great senior leadership.”

The Cubs are averaging a staggering 509 yards of offense per game, 128.2 yards rushing and 380.8 yards passing.

Antoine Smith, a senior transfer from Texas, has turned heads this season with his hard-nosed running and elusiveness in open space. The senior tailback is averaging 6.9 yards per carry, with 12 of his 14 touchdowns coming on the ground. He leads the Cubs with 384 yards rushing and has caught 23 passes for another 232 yards.

“This is a very different offense than what I am used to,” Smith said. “The Brotherhood is there, and the discipline is there. I was always a one-position running back, but going out and catching the ball, I like it.”

Collin Umfleet has recorded six touchdowns for the Cubs this year and has shared the load with Smith in the backfield. He has also caught 38 passes for 364 yards.

“This season has been more enjoyable on offense,” Umfleet said. “Getting leads and being taken out at halftime has been fun. We get to help those younger guys get better.”

Monett has played two of the top defensive units in the Big 8 Conference this season in Seneca and Nevada, scoring 52 on the Indians and 34 on the Tigers. Even though those games ended with the Cubs coming up short, they have proven that this Monett offense cannot just score, but score in bunches, and on anyone.

“That’s our priority, to score on every drive,” said Miles Young, Monett receiver. “I feel like our offense controls how the game is going to go. If we just do our part, our guys, our brothers on the other side of the ball are going to do their part. It is a team game, and our chemistry is strong.”

Young is averaging 8.5 yards per reception this season.

With the wide-open attack this year, on any given play, any receiver could get the ball. That is something that has pushed the offense to play even harder, knowing that if they can get open, the ball will likely head their way.

This season, Monett has had 10 different Cubs catch a pass.

Alex Meeks leads the way with 38 receptions for 548 yards and seven scores.

“Everybody is competitive, and we all want the ball every single play,” Meeks said. “Dylan [Washick] has grown as a quarterback. Every play, he is hitting the open guy. We all have faith in him to make the right throw, and he is the one making this thing go.”

Washick this season is completing 65 percent of his passes (168-of-257) and thrown for 1,904 yards and 19 touchdowns.

As the Cubs push toward the end of the season and playoffs, they recognize that there is still work to be done and improvements to be made.

“We need to keep growing as a team,” Umfleet said. “Stop turning the ball over. Do everything to the best of our ability.”

Publisher’s Note: This article was written and printed prior to Friday’s homecoming game against East Newton.