The Southwest Buckeye League Buckeye Division Showdown is now set, as Monroe and Waynesville both took care of business Friday night. Monroe continued to run over their opposition, churning out an amazing 498 yards on their way to their 7th win, against one loss. The Hornets spoiled the greyhound’s senior night and at the same time kept their destiny for a league title in their own hands.
Devin King led the Hornets with 259 yards on 26 carries. Ben Leahy chipped in 94 yards on the ground followed by freshman Taylor Larison’s 60 and junior QB David Routson with 55.  The Hornets built a 14-0 lead in the 1st quarter  when Ben Leahy scored on a 13 yard run and Stephen Kelley sprinted around the left end for a 15 yard score.  The PAT on the first score failed. Dixie fought back with the next two scores, one coming off a short drive resulting from a Hornet fumble deep in their own territory, and actually led 14-13 with 10:29 to play in the first half.  The upset minded Hounds lead was short lived as less than 3 minutes later King sprinted up the middle for a 37 yard TD that put the Hornets up for good. Monroe added two scores to their lead in the  3rd quarter. First it was King on a one yard run with 7:46 to play, then with 2:06 to play in the third Routson and Leahy played pitch and catch from 16 yards out.  Dixie scored the final points of the night with 3:56 to play when Michale Hall carried the ball 68 yards for a TD. Kelley led all receivers with 53 yards, all on one play when he took a short Routson pass and raced 53 yards down the good guys sideline. Travis Hacker made yet another acrobatic catch for 26 yards.  Ryan Leahy led all Hornet tacklers with 9, followed by Blair Stegman-7 and Nathan Morgan -5.  Monroe travels to Waynesville next week and with a win clinch a share of the SWBL-Buckeye Division title.
See Highlights of this game, meet some players, meet the cheerleaders and talk to the coach this Wednesday at 6:30 at Wings and Rings during the Hornets Sports Buzz Show.