HANNIBAL — River High unleashed a second half run attack county rival Monroe Central couldn’t stop, Friday night as coach Mike Flannery’s Pilots ground out a 44-26 Hall of Fame weekend win at Martin Flannery Field.

“We had our best week of practice, our offensive line did a great job, and the defense adjusted well in the second half,” said Flannery, who became the winningest coach in school history in his 21st season, surpassing OVAC Hall of Famer Terry Snively.

“Coach (Mark) Holenka had his ‘D’ respond in the second half,” he added, “after Monroe grabbed a 20-14 midway through the second quarter. “We had nine players out with sickness last week,” which led to a cancelled week 2 meeting with Trimble.

As for moving to the top of the RHS win list, Flannery was quick to point out his assistants’ contributions over the years. “It’s a compliment to my staff. They’ve been a big part of our success.”

River’s Peyton Blue recovered a MC fumble on the first play of the game after a sack to set up a 26-yard, five play TD drive.

Five run plays were capped by Lucas Dennis’ seven-yard burst at 9:54, his first of three TDs as the junior flyer accounted for 182 yards on 16 totes behind an O-line of Blue, Matthew Gregg, Zeke Zola, Cooper Cordery, and Hunter Nething.

Coach Jonathan ‘Fin’ Calder’s Seminoles pulled even at 6-all when Carter Knowlton returned an interception 22 yards at 7:02.

The Pilots featured more rushing on the ensuing march and senior Kaden Johnson found paydirt with a bruising 17-yard TD tote at the 5:28 mark. Senior QB Kabel Isaly kept for a 14-6 lead.

Monroe struck through the air after the ensuing kick as Howell found Knowlton twice – for 23 to the 23, and later, a Howell-to-Knowlton 22-yard touchdown flip made it 14-12. at 3:13.

After an exchange of punts, MC needed 10 plays to cover 54 yards with sophomore AJ Rutter scoring from a yard out, while Howell was untouched on a PAT rollout to make it 20-14 with 6:39 until the half.

Flannery’s crew responded to take the lead for keeps after a squibb kickoff was covered by Blue, who returned it 10 yards to the visitors’ 46.

Johnson ran 26 to the 15-yards line and three plays later Bowers, who rushed for 100 on 14 carries, burst in from the three for the TD. Bowers’ bonus run made it 22-20 with 3:41 showing.

“Everything snowballed for us in the second half,” noted Calder, of his 1-2 record tribe. “(River) kept running the same play and we couldn’t stop it. We’ve got to play better, but I was proud of our effort in the first half.”

River rode Dennis’ legs early on the opening second half drive as he ran for 37, 13, and finally five yards for the TD. His PAT run made it 30-20.

Isaly’s 18-yard punt return set up another Pilot TD drive. Dennis had all six carries in the march, slipping in the end zone at 4:25, while Carson Makris kicked the extra point to make it 37-20.

Isaly’s pass pick led to a final touchdown for the hosts. Dennis ran 33 yards to the 18, where Johnson rumbled the final 18 at 2:43. Makris drilled the PAT kick.

Monroe, which visits unbeaten Caldwell, Friday, scored the final TD when Knowlton hauled in a 50-yard bomb from Howell.

The 1-1 record Pilots visit rival Magnolia, Friday.