Monona Grove Opens 2026 With Dominant 42–0 Shutout of Janesville Parker
Updated: Aug 25
MONONA GROVE 42, JANESVILLE PARKER 0
Thursday, August 20, 2026 — John Klement Stadium
Monona Grove entered its 2026 season opener with an established group of veteran leaders surrounded by a large collection of players stepping into varsity starting roles for the first time. By halftime, many of those newcomers had already made their presence known.
The Silver Eagles scored five touchdowns before the break, created turnovers, produced points on special teams and overwhelmed Janesville Parker on their way to a 42–0 victory at John Klement Stadium. MG led 35–0 at halftime, added one more touchdown in the second half and finished the night with approximately 375 yards of total offense.
As productive as the offense was, the defense may have delivered the night's most dominant performance. Parker gained 68 yards on its first possession, responding to MG's opening touchdown with what appeared to be a promising drive. That possession turned out to represent almost the Vikings' entire offensive night. Parker finished with only 71 total yards, meaning Monona Grove surrendered just three additional yards after the Vikings' opening drive.
The victory was MG's third straight over Parker and its most decisive in the young series. After winning 37–7 in 2024 and 31–7 in 2025, the Silver Eagles have now outscored the Vikings 110–14 in three meetings.
More important than the historical numbers was what Thursday revealed about the 2026 team. Monona Grove entered the season replacing significant production from a 10–2 squad while also playing without two impact seniors. Kai Fowler and Colten Jenkins remained sidelined with leg injuries, although both hope to return to the field this season.
Instead of looking like a team waiting to become whole, MG received immediate production from established veterans, first-time starters, emerging underclassmen and a player returning from a year-long injury rehabilitation. By building a 35-point halftime lead, the Silver Eagles also created an opportunity to spend much of the second half evaluating additional varsity depth.
Veteran Captains Set the Standard
The Silver Eagles opened the season under the leadership of four captains: Deangelo Clay, Logan Donkersgoed, Jay Hurley and Jaxon Zukowski. Clay and Donkersgoed provide the foundation of that group as seniors beginning their third seasons as varsity starters, giving MG valuable continuity on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
Clay delivered the strongest statistical performances of the night, leading Monona Grove with 11 tackles, seven solo stops and five tackles for loss. Donkersgoed helped anchor both lines, finished with three tackles and was officially credited with forcing a fumble that Clay recovered. Hurley influenced the game defensively and on special teams, turning a Parker breakdown into a touchdown.
Together, the captains helped set the tone for a first-half performance in which Monona Grove's primary varsity lineup established complete control. Once MG reached halftime ahead 35–0, many of its impact starters — including Clay, Donkersgoed, Hurley, Zukowski, Diego Adame Vanegas, Nic Busalacchi and others — were finished for the night or saw greatly reduced second-half action as the coaching staff expanded the rotation.
That veteran leadership was especially important because the lineup featured 14 players making the first varsity starts of their careers. On offense, Jay Ramsey, Henry Parrott, Hunter Meyer, Owen Hadden, Diego Delfin-Garcia, Cal Bennett and Brody Thomsen all made their first starts. Defensively, Liam Maday, Gavin Weiss, Landry Ganshert, Aiden Dennis, Cole Kessenich, Dom Melone and Carson Schoenherr moved into starting roles for the first time.
For a team entering Week 1 wondering how quickly a large group of new starters would adjust to expanded roles, the answer came remarkably quickly.
MG Strikes Immediately
Monona Grove's opening possession produced an important early conversion. Facing fourth-and-2 with 10:27 remaining in the first quarter, Zukowski kept the football and powered up the middle for the first down. Shortly afterward, he connected with first-time starting receiver Henry Parrott on a deep completion that carried the Silver Eagles to the Parker 2-yard line.
Parrott produced a team-high 54 receiving yards, an average of 27 yards per catch, making him one of MG's primary explosive-play threats in his first varsity start. Another first-time starter finished the drive. Junior Carson Schoenherr scored from one yard out at 9:24, giving Monona Grove its first touchdown of the 2026 season. Hans Haffele converted the extra point and MG led 7–0.
Schoenherr's performance became one of the more encouraging stories of the opener. Making the first defensive start of his varsity career, he also assumed a significant role in the offensive backfield and finished as MG's leading running back with 12 carries for 66 yards and a touchdown, averaging 5.5 yards per attempt. He added a five-yard reception and two tackles defensively, giving Monona Grove production on both sides of the football.
Parker's Best Drive Becomes the Turning Point
Parker responded to MG's opening touchdown with its best offensive possession of the night. The Vikings accumulated 68 yards on the drive, overcame two negative plays and even converted a fourth-and-14 with 4:42 remaining in the first quarter.
They would gain only three more yards the rest of the game.
The opening drive ultimately stalled when Monona Grove tightened defensively. Hurley stopped Parker's No. 8 for no gain on third-and-3, and on fourth down his pressure off the edge helped force the play back toward Liam Maday, who made the tackle and ended the possession on downs.
For Maday, it was the first major play of an impressive first varsity start. For the MG defense, it became the turning point of the night. Parker had driven deep into Monona Grove territory and came away with nothing. From that moment forward, the Vikings' offense essentially disappeared.
The Starting Offense Takes Control
Monona Grove continued creating explosive plays throughout the first half, both through the air and on the ground. The starting offense repeatedly stayed ahead of the chains, converted short-yardage situations and created favorable field position before giving way after halftime with the game already firmly under control.
At quarterback, Zukowski completed 7 of 12 passes for 110 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions while adding 65 rushing yards on five carries, an average of 13.0 yards per attempt. His 175 yards of offense came entirely in the first half, before MG began rotating many of its primary starters with a 35–0 lead.
The broader story, however, was how effectively the entire starting unit functioned. The offensive line consistently created room in the running game, multiple receivers produced explosive plays and several first-time starters immediately became part of the scoring.
Second Quarter Breaks the Game Open
The second quarter showcased both Monona Grove's established physicality and its emerging offensive depth. On his first rushing attempt of the season, Clay powered through multiple Parker defenders to convert a third down. He finished with 13 yards on two carries, averaging 6.5 yards per attempt, although his greatest impact came on defense.
MG then turned to another first-time starter for the game's second touchdown. Junior Landry Ganshert hauled in a 38-yard touchdown reception, his only catch of the night, giving the Silver Eagles a 13–0 advantage before Haffele's extra point made it 14–0.
Ganshert was making the first varsity start of his career in the defensive secondary, but by the end of the night he had made important contributions on both sides of the football. In addition to the 38-yard touchdown catch, he recorded six tackles, tying for third on the team.
That type of two-way contribution became a recurring theme throughout the opener. New starters weren't simply occupying positions in the lineup; they were directly influencing the outcome.
Hurley Converts Chaos Into a Touchdown
One of the night's most unusual plays came with 8:05 remaining in the second quarter. A high Parker snap sent the punter scrambling to recover the football, and the broken play ultimately ended with Hurley gaining possession and taking the ball into the end zone.
The official statistics credit Hurley with a six-yard fumble-recovery touchdown. Regardless of how the play is categorized, the impact was unmistakable. Instead of merely gaining favorable field position after Parker's mistake, Monona Grove turned the breakdown directly into six points.
Haffele converted again and the lead jumped to 21–0. Hurley had already helped create the first-quarter fourth-down stop. Now the senior captain had produced a touchdown without the MG offense ever taking the field.
Clay and Donkersgoed Create Another Turnover
Only moments later, MG's veteran defensive leaders produced another takeaway. The official statistics credit Donkersgoed with forcing the fumble and Clay with the recovery, immediately returning possession to Monona Grove.
It was part of a dominant night for Clay. His 11 tackles led the team, but his five tackles for loss were even more striking. Nearly half of his tackles came behind the line of scrimmage as Parker increasingly struggled to stay ahead of the chains.
MG quickly converted the takeaway into points. After another first-down run moved the offense forward, Hunter Meyer reached the edge and scored on an eight-yard run. Meyer finished with 13 yards on two carries and a touchdown in his first varsity start, giving MG yet another newcomer who immediately found the end zone.
Haffele's fourth extra point made it 28–0.
Maday Makes His First Start Count
Parker's next possession ended with another first-time starter delivering a major play. With 2:47 remaining in the half, Maday elevated for an interception and gave Monona Grove another takeaway.
The junior defensive back had already made the fourth-down tackle that ended Parker's best possession. He finished the night with three tackles, including two solo stops, and an interception, making his first varsity start one of the most impactful among MG's newcomers.
The Silver Eagles again capitalized. After moving the chains, MG connected with junior Diego Adame Vanegas for a touchdown who finished with one reception for 15 yards and the score, but his impact extended well beyond offense. He recorded seven tackles, second-most on the team, and handled six kickoffs, producing four touchbacks.
Haffele converted his fifth consecutive extra point, and with 1:48 remaining before halftime, Monona Grove had built a 35–0 lead.
A Complete First Half
The diversity of Monona Grove's first-half scoring told much of the story. Five touchdowns came through multiple phases and from five different scoring plays: Schoenherr ran for the first, Ganshert caught the second, Hurley turned Parker's special-teams mistake into the third, Meyer scored on the ground and Adame Vanegas caught the fifth.
Veterans contributed. First-time starters contributed. The offensive line created room. The passing game produced explosive plays. The defense generated takeaways and field position. Special teams put points directly on the scoreboard. And after Parker's 68-yard opening possession, the MG defense essentially shut off the Vikings' offense.
Just as importantly, the 35–0 halftime margin changed the complexion of the game. Many of Monona Grove's primary starters had already completed their night's work, allowing the Silver Eagles to use much of the second half to evaluate additional players and build varsity experience throughout the roster.
It was about as complete an opening half as MG could have hoped for.
Halverson Finishes the Scoring
With the outcome already firmly under control, sophomore QB Bryson Halverson completed the scoring in the second half, carrying three times for seven yards and scoring his first varsity touchdown on a four-yard run. Haffele converted his sixth extra point, giving MG the final 42–0 margin.
Running Game Shows Depth
The Silver Eagles finished with 219 rushing yards on 33 carries, averaging 6.6 yards per attempt, and did it without leaning heavily on a single featured back.
Schoenherr led the running backs with 66 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Sophomore Mario Melone provided one of the strongest late-game bursts, gaining 33 yards on three carries, an average of 11.0 yards per attempt.
Ramsey, making his first varsity start at running back, finished with 13 yards on three carries and added a two-yard reception. Clay gained 13 yards on two carries, Meyer scored on one of his two rushing attempts and junior Nysiah McKinney contributed nine yards on three attempts.
Passing Game Spreads the Football Around
Monona Grove showed similar depth in the passing game, with nine different players recording receptions. Parrott led the group with 54 yards on two catches, while Ganshert's 38-yard touchdown was MG's longest scoring reception. Sophomore Ben Knickmeyer caught two passes for 25 yards, Adame Vanegas scored on his 15-yard reception and Schoenherr added five yards out of the backfield.
Senior Steven Brumm caught two passes, while Nic Busalacchi, Ramsey and others also recorded receptions. Rather than depending on one dominant target, the Silver Eagles spread the football around and gave Parker multiple players to account for.
One of the night's most meaningful receptions, however, belonged to Jamo Nault.
Jamo Nault Returns After a Year of Rehabilitation
For Nault, Thursday represented much more than another season opener. The junior wide receiver suffered a torn ACL in August 2025, costing him his sophomore football season and beginning a year-long rehabilitation process.
Against Parker, Nault finally made his varsity football debut and immediately became part of the offense, catching a pass for nine yards.
It was only one reception on the stat sheet, but the significance extended far beyond nine yards. On a night defined by first starts and new opportunities, Nault's return represented a different kind of beginning: a player who had spent approximately a year working his way back onto the football field finally getting his opportunity and contributing immediately.
First-Time Starters Deliver Across the Lineup
Perhaps the most encouraging long-term development from Week 1 was how many first-time starters produced measurable contributions.
Parrott immediately emerged as MG's leading receiver with two catches for 54 yards. Meyer scored a rushing touchdown. Ramsey contributed as both a runner and receiver. Ganshert scored on a 38-yard reception while simultaneously becoming one of the defense's leading tacklers. Schoenherr led the running backs with 66 yards and a touchdown while also starting defensively.
The new offensive line was equally important. Senior Owen Hadden made his first career varsity start alongside juniors Diego Delfin-Garcia, Cal Bennett and Brody Thomsen, joining veteran Donkersgoed to form a substantially rebuilt unit. That group helped Monona Grove rush for 219 yards at 6.6 yards per carry while creating opportunities for explosive plays throughout the first half.
The contributions from first-time defensive starters were just as evident. Ganshert recorded six tackles. Cole Kessenich finished with six tackles, three solo stops and a tackle for loss. Dom Melone, after previously contributing at the varsity level, recorded six tackles in his first career start. Gavin Weiss finished with three tackles, including two solo stops, while Aiden Dennis made two tackles, both solo. Maday combined three tackles with his interception and crucial fourth-down stop, and Schoenherr contributed defensively while carrying a significant offensive workload.
Those were not simply new names listed in the starting lineup. They became part of the reason MG won so decisively.
Clay Leads a Suffocating Defensive Performance
The defensive statistics underline just how thoroughly Monona Grove controlled the game after Parker's first possession.
Clay led the way with 11 tackles, seven solo stops and five tackles for loss. Adame Vanegas followed with seven tackles, while Ganshert, Kessenich and Dom Melone each finished with six. MG totaled eight tackles for loss and one officially credited sack. Junior Alonzo Garcia recorded that sack while also producing a tackle for loss, and junior Evan Rosol added another tackle behind the line of scrimmage.
Donkersgoed forced a fumble. Clay recovered one loose football. Hurley recovered another and converted it into a touchdown. Maday added an interception.
Yet the statistic that best summarized the defensive performance was much simpler: 71 total yards allowed.
Parker gained 68 of those yards on its first possession. Once MG stopped that drive on downs, the Vikings managed only three additional yards for the rest of the night.
An Impressive Defensive Opening Statement
The shutout becomes even more impressive when viewed against Monona Grove's recent defensive standard. The 2025 Silver Eagles posted regular-season shutouts against Oregon and Sun Prairie West and allowed only eight points against DeForest and Fort Atkinson. The program's history includes some extraordinary defensive teams as well, most notably the 1962 team that surrendered only six points during its entire eight-game regular season.
One Week 1 performance does not put the 2026 defense into that historical company, but holding an opponent to 71 yards — with only three coming after the opening possession — is an emphatic first data point.
MG entered the season needing to replace major defensive contributors from 2025, including standout defensive end Nick Gallagher, while determining which younger players were ready to assume larger responsibilities. The opener provided a strong initial answer.
Injured Seniors Remain Part of the Bigger Picture
The performance also came without two seniors Monona Grove hopes will still play important roles later this season. Kai Fowler and Colten Jenkins remained sidelined with leg injuries against Parker, but both hope to return during the 2026 campaign.
Their absence made the immediate production from Schoenherr, Ramsey, Meyer and the rest of MG's emerging group particularly encouraging. Rather than waiting for its roster to become fully healthy, Monona Grove was forced to develop depth immediately.
Special Teams Completes the Performance
Monona Grove's dominance wasn't limited to offense and defense. Hurley's six-yard touchdown off Parker's special-teams breakdown provided the most obvious impact, while the kicking units were steady throughout the night.
Haffele converted all six extra-point attempts. Adame Vanegas handled six kickoffs and produced four touchbacks, repeatedly preventing Parker from gaining advantageous field position. Garcia added another kickoff.
Opening games can often turn on mistakes in the kicking game, especially when offenses are still finding their rhythm. Instead, MG avoided giving Parker opportunities through special teams and turned one of the Vikings' own breakdowns directly into points.
From 10–7 to 35–0 in One Year
The contrast with the 2025 opener was significant. A year ago, MG led Parker just 10–7 at halftime before pulling away for a 31–7 win; this time, the Silver Eagles built a 35–0 halftime lead, allowing the coaching staff to expand the rotation throughout the second half. Returning veterans set the tone, while players who had been reserves or junior-varsity contributors a year earlier were now scoring touchdowns, making tackles and creating turnovers. Monona Grove is now 3–0 against Janesville Parker, winning 37–7 in 2024, 31–7 in 2025 and 42–0 in 2026, while outscoring the Vikings 110–14 across the three meetings. More importantly, Week 1 offered an encouraging first look at a team replacing significant production while introducing 14 first-time varsity starters. MG rushed for 219 yards, averaged 6.6 yards per carry, created multiple takeaways and held Parker to just 71 total yards. Veterans such as Deangelo Clay, Logan Donkersgoed, Jay Hurley and Hans Haffele provided stability, while newcomers including Carson Schoenherr, Henry Parrott, Landry Ganshert, Hunter Meyer, Liam Maday, Cole Kessenich, Dom Melone and Jamo Nault all made meaningful contributions. For a team breaking in so many new starters, it was a strong opening statement: Monona Grove 42, Janesville Parker 0.
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