By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — One week ago, Terrell Cunningham’s Monroe Redjackets rode the capable arm of Khaya Moses to a season-opening win over Honeoye Falls-Lima. Moses completed 13-of-20 passes for 311 yards and four touchdowns in a convincing 54-6 victory in a rematch of the 2022 Class B semifinal.
Saturday, on home turf, Monroe’s defense stepped to the forefront in a suffocating performance.
Nahzier Wilson led a Redjacket defense which finished with four takeaways as host Monroe (2-0) defeated Rochester Prep (0-3), 48-0.
“We do a great job of making sure that defensively we know everything that the other team is going to run,” Cunningham said. “So it’s really just repetition, putting guys in position and then they almost expect to know what’s going to happen.”
Robert Arnold returned an interception three yards for a touchdown. Dashon Constantine recovered a fumble and went five yards for another score. Messiah Hampton returned a punt 44 yards for another 6, and Monroe had an 18-0 lead before the offense made a contribution to the point total.
When it was over, Monroe’s defense scored three touchdowns and held Rochester Prep to less than 50 yards of total offense. The Redjackets only allowed the Tigers past midfield briefly.
“All our reps are with the other team’s main plays,” Cunningham said. “That’s all they see during the week, so come game time we have option A or option B and in some situations even option C as to how we’re going to defend what they’re going to do.”
Wilson had 10 tackles to pace the defensive effort. The 225-pound lineman also helped the Redjacket get the push off the ball.
“Nahz is a dawg,” Cunningham said. “He didn’t play his best game today offensively. Defensively, he made some tackles.”
Hampton had five tackles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Arnold had seven tackles and five sacks. Constantine contributed eight tackles and four sacks. Terrence Nichols also intercepted a pass.
Moses completed three passes for 55 yards and a touchdown. Amari Colon made three catches for 32 yards and a touchdown. Tahjmir Mullins rushed the ball eight times for 103 yards and two scores.
Messiah Hampton grabs the fumble and scampers into the end zone with his second TD of the day and third fumble recovered for 6 by @RCSDRedJackets Monroe 34-0. Terrell Cunningham, Jr. hits Landan McKnight for the 2-point conversion. pic.twitter.com/RhI9wnGouz
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 16, 2023
Despite the result, penalties and a sprinkling of turnovers took the shine off the win. Last week’s victory coupled with a rematch of the Class B final next Friday at Batavia might have contributed to a lack of focus.
“We didn’t have the greatest week of practice from an execution standpoint,” Cunningham said. “It’s almost like we were so motivated to get to Batavia that we kinda overlooked these guys a little bit. It showed today on the field, but I think we’ll be right back where we need to be this week.”
3rd & 9 from the 14, Khaya Moses to Amari Colon for 6. Nazhier Wilson gets 2-point conversion. @RCSDRedJackets 26-0 with 7:55 remaining in the half. Monroe’s D scored the first 2 TDs on fumble recoveries. Messiah Hampton returned a punt for 6 more @SecVFootball pic.twitter.com/kRFE4VEHgM
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 16, 2023
Monroe travels to Batavia next Friday. The Blue Devils took a 14-8 decision in the 2022 Class B final.
“They ended our season last year. Everything we’ve done this offseason was predicated on getting us back to seeing Batavia, not just in the regular season but in the playoffs. We expect to see them twice this starting on Friday and then possibly down the line in the playoffs.”
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