By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Any questions surrounding whether the Monroe High football team could handle a jump in class were answered with an emphatic effort on the turf Saturday afternoon.
Facing the reigning Section VI Class A champion Clarence, Monroe didn’t flinch at an early deficit and went on to defeat the Red Devils, 42-14.
“For us it doesn’t matter the class, it’s the dawgs,” said Monroe head coach Terrell Cunningham. “We got dawgs, the best coaching staff top to bottom, and we got kids who put in more work than any kids in the country. Our boys don’t have an off-season. We were through last year the first week in December. We were in off-season training that following week. Football is not a hobby for us at Monroe. This is our culture, our lifestyle. This is what we do, and this is what that breeds.”
A year ago, the Redjackets advanced to the New York State semifinals for the first time in program history. They claimed the Section V Class B crown and NYS Far West Regional title while allowing just two touchdowns through their first 10 games.
Khaya Moses, Amari Colon, Nahzier Wilson and Robert Arnold among others graduated from that squad.
Now a Class A team, the 2024 version has deftly grabbed the baton and continued moving forward.
“A lot of people had questions about our line,” Cunningham said. “People were questioning our trenchwork and all that other stuff. Again, it comes down to coaching and dawgs. We got a bunch of guys upfront, our D-line (defensive line) and O-line (offensive line), that people may not have known before this season. As long as we continue to do what we do, coach them up, by the end of the season everybody will know who these dudes in our trenches.”
Terrell (Pooty) Cunningham Jr. took over the quarterback duties from Moses and completed 13-of-22 passes for 205 yards and four touchdowns.
“‘Pooty’ just does what he do,” the elder Cunningham said. “A lot of people around the city of Rochester have known who Pooty is since he was six, seven years old as a kid who slings the football around. This was just a regular day for him, just a regular day. The best is yet to come.”
Tahjmier Mullins finished with 175 yards on 21 touches and found paydirt with a 15-yard run. Messiah Hampton accounted for 87 yards on five touches, and Ray Garcia had two catches (both for scores) for 49 yards.
Terrell Cunningham Jr. finds Nasir Kelly in the end zone. Two-point conversion is good. @FootballJMonroe 36-7 over Clarence pic.twitter.com/YUnm065how
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 7, 2024
Taj Mullins from 15. @FootballJMonroe 42-14. pic.twitter.com/qZK2RHFsf9
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 7, 2024
Clarence scored on the second play of the game, and Mike McCarthy had a pick-6 for the second Red Devils’ touchdown.
“We knew that we could do whatever we wanted to do because of the guys we got upfront and the skill players we got,” Cunningham said.
Terrence Barner finished with seven tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown.
Anthony Omebe accounted for eight tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles.
Jermaine Montgomery had 12 tackles and one interception.
Monroe hosts Wilson Magnet next Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
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