Photo by Cody Nespor John Marshall quarterback Jacob Coffield throws a pass against Parkersburg South.

MOUNDSVILLE — John Marshall’s bye week came at just about the right time for the battle-tested Monarchs.

While the team was eager to get back on the field following a 55-16 loss to Parkersburg South two weeks ago, coach Mark Cisar knew last week’s bye was coming at the right time.

“The biggest thing was just trying to get healthy, we’re banged up a little bit,” Cisar said. “It was a good thing for us, but they are chomping at the bit to get back out there this week. The excitement seems to be back and a couple of guys seem to be recharged and ready to go.”

While the Monarchs (2-3) are healthier than they were against Parkersburg South, they’re not exactly healthy. Cisar said senior quarterback Jacob Coffield will miss this week’s game against Keyser (4-1) with a banged up throwing arm. Coffield will be a game-day decision as to whether or not he will play on defense.

Classmate Brennan Sobutka will step in and play under center.

“Brennan Sobutka, a senior, is going to have to step in. He hasn’t played quarterback that much,” Cisar said. “We had a pretty good idea that it could be a possibility so he got all the reps last week and he’s gotten almost all the reps this week.”

Despite sitting below .500 at the season’s midway point, the Monarchs don’t have all that much to feel bad about.

Their three losses have come against quality opponents in University (4-2), Bridgeport (5-1) and Parkersburg South (5-1).

“Our three losses are against three very, very, very good teams,” Cisar said. “So we’ve been battle tested, that’s for sure. We’ve been able to go up against the best and I’ve explained that to our kids.”

Cisar is expecting another battle this week with one-loss Keyser coming to town. The Golden Tornado is currently sitting in a tie for eighth in Class AA in the WVSSAC computer rankings.

“Very solid, a good team,” Cisar said. “They do a lot of things well. They’re very disciplined and have two or three really, really good linemen.

“They’re kind of different than three years ago when John Marshall played them. Back then, they were more of a running team, (now) they do both pretty well. They run it very well and when they’ve had to throw it, they’ve had good success.”

JM’s downfall in its three losses has been its inability to get off the field on defense. The Monarchs are avaeraging 40 points allowed in its losses as opposed to 6.5 points allowed in its two wins.

“We’re really focused on getting off the field when we should get off the field, not allowing them to make plays,” Cisar said. “That’s killed us in all three losses. When we have a chance to get off the field, we have to get off the field.”

The Monarchs’ second-half schedule is no easier than the first, with matchups with Morgantown, Linsly and Wheeling Park on the horizon.

“Hopefully we can get things going again and get back on the right path,” Cisar said. “The kids believe in themselves, they practice really hard and have done a good job with all the stuff that they can do.”