One team is looking to reach its second state semifinal game in the past three seasons. The other is coming off its 11th sectional title in program history. Section V clashes with Section VI when Monroe and Lackawanna meet this weekend for a spot in the Class B state semifinals. Here’s the breakdown:
MONROE RED JACKETS (9-0)
vs.
LACKAWANNA STEELERS (9-2)
How they got here: Monroe (No. 1 Class B NYSSWA) won the Section V Class B title game after defeating Honeoye Falls-Lima 40-0. Lackawanna (No. 10 Class B NYSSWA) took down Pioneer (14-13), Williamsville South (20-12), and West Seneca East (44-22) to win the Section VI Class B title.
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM DENNIS JOYCE.
Players to watch for Monroe: Messiah Hampton Sr. WR (45 catches, 888 yards, nine receiving touchdowns, 100 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, two interceptions, University of Oregon commit), Terrell “Pooty” Cunningham Jr. QB (76.1% completion rate, 2,288 passing yards, 31 passing touchdowns), Luis Falu Sr. WR (19 catches, 463 receiving yards, nine touchdowns); Anthony Omebe Sr. DE/WR (49 tackles, 10 sacks, three fumble recoveries, three catches, 44 yards, one touchdown), Jermaine Montgomery Jr. Sr. RB/LB (353 rushing yards, 10.4 yards per carry, three rushing touchdowns, 87 tackles, one interception, two fumble recoveries), Ray Garcia Jr. RB/WR (278 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, 23 catches, 469 receiving yards, six receiving touchdowns)
Lackawanna: Naseem Dahil Sr. (895 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, 70 tackles, two sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception), Mekhi Scott Sr. (640 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns), Michael Moore (1,122 passing yards, 13 passing touchdowns, 155 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns), Kobey Underwood Jr. WR (24 catches, 555 receiving yards, seven receiving touchdowns) Kurt Stevens Jr. Sr. (93 tackles, two sacks , two forced fumbles), Malachi Adams Sr. (64 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles)
Coaches: Terrell Cunningham (Monroe), Marcus Rivers (Lackawanna)
History 101: Monroe has won two sectional titles in three seasons and is looking to get back to the state semifinals after reaching the Class B Final Four in 2023. Lackawanna has won 11 sectional titles in its history and last made the Far West Regional in 2022, a year that saw the Steelers win the Section VI Class C title and make the state semifinals.
What’s at stake: A spot in the NYS Class B semifinals against the winner of New Hartford (III) and Owego Free Academy (IV).
Kickoff is set for 3:00 pm this Saturday at All High Stadium in Buffalo.
Leave a Reply