The Montgomery County football team didn’t celebrate another winning season this fall.

The Wildcats finished 2-8 overall and 2-5 in Eastern Missouri Conference play, their first losing season since 2017. Their 2022 season ended with a 33-12 loss to Clark County in a Class 2, District 7 quarterfinal game on Oct. 28 on the road, making it the second straight year MCHS was eliminated in district quarterfinal play.

MCHS lost its first five games before pulling off back-to-back wins over Wright City and Louisiana. The Wildcats dropped their final three contests, including the one against Clark County. They had three consecutive winning seasons before that streak was snapped this year.

The loss to Clark County ended the high school football careers of nine players – Adam Czerniewski, Harrison Bishop, Dominic Luttrell, Brenden Luttrell, Travis Hill, Matt Clark, Gunner Sexton, Aiden Brush and Cayden Thurmon.

“I love this group of kids,” said John Klekamp, who wrapped up his 13th season as MCHS coach. “Travis, Harrison, Matt, Adam and Gunner have been with me since they were freshmen. They are 110 percent team kids. Those guys have all fitted into a good group of kids.”

Despite the losing season, MCHS had outstanding efforts from numerous players such as Czerniewski, Bishop, Hill, Clark, Sexton, the Luttrell brothers and juniors Jace Ellis, James Pollard and Mason Leu.

Czerniewski finished with 1,295 yards receiving with six touchdowns and 689 yards rushing with 10 TDs. He wrapped up his three-year varsity career with 3,687 yards receiving with 30 touchdowns, 2,192 yards rushing with 24 touchdowns and four all-Eastern Missouri Conference awards.

Czerniewski helped the Wildcats knock off Wright City 36-14 on Sept. 30 by scoring three touchdowns and throwing two TD passes.

Dominic and Brenden Luttrell combined with nine touchdowns. Dominic rushed for three touchdowns and caught for two, while Brenden had four rushing touchdowns, including two in MCHS’ 22-14 win over Louisiana on Oct. 7.

Bishop led the Wildcats in tackles with 77, including 11 each against Van-Far and South Callaway. The senior offensive lineman/defensive linebacker earned all-Eastern Missouri Conference honors on both sides of the ball.

“I get to touch the ball every single play, so that’s great,” Bishop said. “I always wanted to play defense. I’m thankful for the opportunity to play defense this year at middle linebacker.”

Hill caught for 474 yards with three touchdowns, including two in the Wildcats’ 42-38 loss to North Callaway on Oct. 14.
Clark earned first-team all-EMO honors at defensive end for the second straight year after finishing with 42 tackles and three sacks. He had a season-high seven tackles against Louisiana.

Sexton finished with 34 tackles and 2.5 sacks in seven games played. He had nine tackles against North Callaway.
Leu finished with 56 tackles to earn all-EMO defensive back honors. He had 10 tackles each against Hermann and North Callaway.
Ellis, who played his first year with the football team, finished with 47 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He had eight tackles apiece against Hermann and Clark County.
Pollard was named second-team defensive lineman after recording 48 tackles, including 11 against Clark County.
The Wildcats began their season on Aug. 26 with a 25-13 loss to Hermann at Jim Blacklock Field. They averaged 11 points in their first five games. They also lost to Monroe City, Van-Far, Mark Twain and South Callaway.
MCHS dropped three of its games by 10 points or less.