ADA TWP. – The Mona Shores defense typically gets less attention than the Sailors’ high-scoring offense.

And sometimes things haven’t gone so great for the Sailor D, like two games this season when the unit gave up 40 or more points.

But in the Friday’s night’ first round game of the Division 2 playoffs, it was the defense that stepped up. Mona Shores held Forest Hills Central – which averages 35 points per game – to just a touchdown in a 31-7 road win for the two-time defending state champions.

Even more impressive is that the Shores defense excelled without both of its starting cornerbacks, who were lost to COVID contact tracing just hours before the game.

Mark Konecny runs the ball for Mona Shores in a win over Forest Hills Central. Photo/Mitchell Boatman

“We didn’t know that until an hour-and-a-half before the game,” Mona Shores coach Matt Koziak said about losing the two starters. “We always have that mantra of ‘next man up,’ and here it is again. We always talk about how you never know when your number’s going to get called, and if you stay ready, you never have to get ready.”

Jaylen Vinton and Ryan McNiff started at the cornerback positions for Mona Shores, and both intercepted a pass. Other defensive standouts included Drew Sandberg with five tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery, Kemper Millis and DJ Caviness with seven tackles each and Steve Koziak with 1.5 sacks.

“It was incredible,” Coach Koziak said of the defensive effort. “Our front seven, the way they handled their run game, it was incredible.”

Koziak’s team, now 8-2, will travel to face Caledonia next week in a district title showdown.

Koziak said Friday’s win was one of his proudest moments as a head coach due to the adversity his squad faced.

Mona Shores defenders Steve Koziak (35), DJ Caviness (51) and Drew Sandberg (44) surround Forest Hills Central quarterback Justin Osterhouse. Photo/Mitchell Boatman

“We’ve had some really nail-biting games,” Koziak said. “But the way our kids played today, it ranks right up there because of the adversity that hit us right before. For our kids just to handle it and say ‘Let’s go get it for them,’ it was just magnificent.”

Quarterback Mark Konecny carried the load on offense, rushing 29 times for 152 yards and a touchdown. He also had 72 yards and a TD passing.

“They’re kind of a playoff rivalry for us, so it was a great game all around for us,” Konecny said of the big win. “Our defense has been a struggle sometimes this year. To come out here and hold them to seven (is huge), especially in the secondary, only allowing one big play and getting an interception and making key knockdowns and stuff like that. It was great to see us come out here and finally start to click.”

After a scoreless first quarter, Mona Shores took control of the game in the second quarter, rattling off 21 unanswered points.

CJ Ivy looks to get around the edge for the Sailors. Photo/Mitchell Boatman

Konecny scored first on a one-yard run, Dahmir Farnum added a 15-yard TD dash, then Konecny connected with Jaylen Vinton for a 50-yard touchdown pass.

The Rangers scored their lone points just before the half to make it 21-7. The score came on a 52-yard pass from Hunter Robinson to Ben Scholler.

The Sailors added their final 10 points in the fourth quarter on a 31-yard field goal by Kaden Pulaski and a 24-yard scoring run by Farnum.

Farnum had 94 yards rushing and two touchdowns for Mona Shores. Vinton was the leading receiver with 50 yards and a TD.

Forest Hills Central had just 48 rushing yards and 69 passing yards on the night.