The Arlington Eagles' disappointment was obvious as they huddled after Thursday's football game in David City.
The Aquinas Monarchs (2-3 overall) held coach Troy Schlueter's team scoreless during the second half, coming through with a 20-12 win in front of their home crowd. The Eagles dropped to 1-4 in defeat with at least five games still left to play.
“Same thing we always do,” said AHS senior Killian McIntosh when asked what the plan was going forward. “Prepare for next week.”
The Eagles started fast against the Monarchs, scoring the game's first points with the sun still out and 6:14 left in the opening quarter. After taking an illegal hit on a punt to extend the drive by penalty, McIntosh finished his squad's first possession with a 4-yard touchdown run.
Blocker Ben Flesner and the Arlington offensive line led the outside run across the goal line.
“I think we came out more physical than we have in a long time,” McIntosh said. “They're a physical team, but we didn't back down from it.”
Aquinas evened the score, 6-6, at the start of the second quarter, but the Eagles were still finding offensive success. They ended the first half with quarterback Owen Ladehoff's 3-yard sneak through the middle of the Monarchs' defense.
The long AHS scoring drive, which ended just 50 seconds before halftime, covered 84 yards total with Dallin Franzluebbers hauling in a long pass during it. The back and Ladehoff extended the possession with outside runs to convert a pair of third down plays, too.
“Their defense is built to push (runners) up to the middle linebackers, so we just got outside,” Franzluebbers said. “Props to our line. They were doing good.”
Coach Schlueter's Eagles carried their 12-6 lead into the second half, but couldn't hold it. The host Monarchs scored a touchdown apiece during the third and fourth quarters, keeping Arlington's last offensive possession well short of the game-tying scores. Ladehoff had a first-down run on the drive, but his last-chance pass to Trent Kroger was broken up by Aquinas' Garett Novacek.
Afterward, McIntosh said his team's defense needed to get more stops to get its offense the ball. The offense, though, had its own struggles during the second half.
“When we did get a big play or a first down run, we kept getting called back for dumb flags,” the senior said.
Even after a 1-4 start, though, Arlington still has plenty to play for this season, according to its players.
“Still got four games left to make a statement for ourselves,” McIntosh said.
Franzluebbers shared how the Eagles plan to do it, too.
“Keep on hammering,” he said. “Don't give them a chance, just keep on going. Don't ever give up.”
AHS next hosts North Bend Central on Friday in its homecoming game.
DAVID CITY AQUINAS 20, ARLINGTON 12
AHS (1-4) 6 6 0 0 — 12
DCA (2-3) 0 6 8 6 — 20
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
A: Killian McIntosh 4-yard run, 2-point conversion failed
Second Quarter
DCA: Kurtis Baer 13-yard run, PAT failed
A: Owen Ladehoff 3-yard run, 2-point conversion failed
Third Quarter
DCA: Marcus Krivanek 10-yard pass from Kasen Lavicky, Baer 2-point conversion
Fourth Quarter
DCA: Baer 10-yard run, 2-point conversion failed
