McKnight and Ferrell’s second-half scores catapult Monroe into the semifinals

By DAVID DOBRASZ

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — It certainly was not the high-scoring affair that fans expected when they packed the stands of James Monroe High School, but late scores from Monroe were enough to clinch a semifinals berth.

No. 2 Monroe knocked off No. 7 Geneva, 16-0 in a rematch from two weeks ago. Junior Landan McKnight and senior Jayden Ferrell broke through on the scoreboard with just over 15 minutes left in the game.

McKnight broke the scoreless tie with 3:02 remaining in the third quarter when he caught a pass from quarterback Khaya Moses off a slant route at Geneva’s 24-yard line, before making a stutter-step move at the 16-yard line to beat the safety. The receiver broke the plane on the fifth play of the drive, that was setup by a turnover-on-downs after an incomplete pass on 4^th-and-12 from Geneva’s own 36-yard line. On the play, Khalil Graham was able to shed a tackle and force opposing quarterback, Xavier Praylor to roll out to his right and throw an off-balance pass near the sideline.

McKnight also had two carries for 25 yards in the game, including a nine-yard pitch-and catch to start the drive. On the second play of the scoring drive, Messiah Hampton made 26-yard reception on a post route to bring the ball down to Geneva’s 39-yard line, and the freshman ran a quick slant to pick up 9 yards and bring the ball to the 30-yard line.

A failed punt within the final seven minutes set the stage for Red Jackets to close out the game.

Jayden Ferrell made his presence known on the ground, when he road blockers, bounced to his left, and stiff armed his way into the end zone with 6:04 remaining in the game. An unsportsmanlike penalty on the Red Jackets nearly negated a five-yard rush up the middle that brought the ball to the one-yard line. Ferrell’s second successful two-point conversion put an end the scoring. The bulldozing back had five carries, eight tackles and two quarterback hurries in the game.

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On defense, Dashon Constantine finished with 12 tackles, two tackles for a loss and two sacks. Fellow junior, Robert Arnold made nine tackles including three for a loss and two sacks. The defensive end also deflected three passes. Juan Rivera contributed 10 tackles and one sack.

In their last meeting, Monroe bested the Panthers, 64-8 back on October 14th.

Monroe is now 7-2 on the season, and advanced the 2022 Class B semifinals to face No. 3 Honeoye Falls-Lima (7-2), who comes off Friday’s 48-22 defeat of No. 6 Palmyra-Macedon (3-6). Monroe beat HF-L in their first meeting, 26-7 on October 8th. A win would send the Red Jackets to SUNY Brockport for a chance at the Class B championship on Wednesday, November 12^th.