The 2009 Monroe Hornet football team’s season came to an end Friday night at Kings high school by the hands of the undefeated Wyoming Cowboys in the 2nd round of the OHSAA Division III playoffs. Monroe got on the board first with 2:42 to play in the first half on a 5 yard TD run by junior QB David Routson. Monroe completely dominated the first half, possessing the ball 18 minutes to the Cowboys 6, however several missed scoring opportunities allowed the Cowboys to trail by only seven at the half—Monroe 7 Wyoming 0.
Wyoming received the opening kickoff in the second half, and after both teams traded possessions, Wyoming finally dented the Hornet end zone when junior QB Kyle Seyfried matched Routson’s 5 yard run with a 5 yard run of his own with 7:14 to play in the third quarter, Monroe 7—-Wyoming 7.
The Cowboys came into the contest as one of the highest scoring and passing offenses in the State but until Evan Aleshire was able to take a Seyfried pass 55 yards into the end zone with 9:24 to play, did that explosive passing attack create any damage to the stingy Hornet defense. Aleshire’s 55-yard pass and run put Wyoming up 14-7.
Monroe’s defense, which had not allowed a touchdown in the second half of 7 straight games, played extremely well all night. Wyoming managed only 63 yards of total offense in the first half but they were able to manage two scores and 147 yards of offense in the second half.
Monroe’s final drive ended inside Cowboy territory with 3 seconds to go in the game, as the Hornets fumbled the ball away for their only turnover of the game.
Routson played a gusty game and led the Hornets with 85 yards rushing on 26 tough carries and 21 yards passing for 106 yards of Monroe’s 220 yards of total team offense.
Seniors Ryan Leahy and Nathan Morgan led all Hornet tacklers with 6 each. Final score Wyoming 14 Monroe 7.
Wyoming advances to take on Springfield Shawnee next Friday for the Region 12 Title and a berth in the State Final Four.
Monroe improved in Coach Ken Meibers second season as head coach, from a five win season last year to a 9 win season this year and a share of the SWBL-Buckeye Division League Title.
Many team and individual records were set this year. Celebrate the team’s season and accomplishments on Monday November 23rd at 6:00 p.m. when the Monroe High School host their annual Fall sports banquet.
