Chaminade-Monroe Play 0-0 Tie : It Was a Game That No Team Wanted to Win

Late in the third quarter of Friday night’s Chaminade-Monroe game, the Monroe cheerleaders led a cheer that could best be described as mass primal-scream therapy. Considering the game they were watching, it might have been the perfect reaction.

Chaminade fumbled three times inside the Viking 20, all in the second half, en route to a 0-0 tie with Monroe.

Monroe Coach Howard Reisbord described his team’s offense, which was highlighted by two missed field goals, this way: “We had no offense without our quarterback. Where’s my quarterback?”

For most of the game, his star quarterback was on the sideline with a possible cartilage injury to his left knee. That, more than anything else, may have explained the Vikings’ performance.

Chaminade had no excuse.

The game started in a foreboding fashion. Chaminade quarterback Jim Chrissman threw the first of three interceptions, this one to Barry Thomas.

The Vikings appeared to be in the driver’s seat. Several plays later, Robert Harding was injured and the Viking hopes faded.

The rest of the half was a tragedy of errors. Chaminade finished the first 24 minutes with twice as many turnovers as first downs (4-2) and almost as many penalty yards as total offense (40-41 yards). Monroe fared little better as quarterbacks Eric Yee and Sheldon Scoggins could complete only two passes between them and 39 yards total offense. Kicker Raymond Lopez missed both field goals--of 48 and 36 yards--in the first half.

In the second half, Chaminade controlled the game, threatening to score three times. But they were empty threats. The first time, running back Jang Kim fumbled on the 14. The second time, with eight minutes left, a fumbled snap stopped the Eagles. Finally, Kim fumbled on the Monroe 17 with less than 30 seconds remaining.

Chaminade finished with four interceptions and four fumbles. Monroe squeaked out with only three fumbles.

The Vikings were led by running backs Sean Roberts, who carried 8 times for 26 yards, and Greg Lawson, who had 37 yards on 8 carries. Chaminade was sparked by Kim, 13 carries for 63 yards, and Tim Lavin, who carried 11 times for 49 yards.

Monroe is 2-0-1, Chaminade 2-1-1.