Monroe looks to continue its winning ways

By PAUL GOTHAM

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The title of “reigning state champions” fits well with Monroe High football. The Redjackets understand what goes with being the top team in the state.

Just don’t expect them to dwell on it or back away from it.

“We’re just ready to go do it all again because we still have a lot of talent,” said senior wide receiver Brien Walker during the recent Glory2Glory media day.

Last December, Monroe capped off an unbeaten run (12-0) to the NYS Class B title with a 34-0 win over Sleepy Hollow (I). The Redjackets outscored opponents 162-21 during four postseason games.

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Alijah Jones earned MVP honors in the state championship game. The interior lineman helped clear the way for a Redjackets’ offense that averaged better than 380 yards per game in 2025.

“It hasn’t been any different than the last four years that I’ve been at Monroe,” the 6-foot-4 senior said of the preparation for the upcoming season. “It’s been the same thing every year, and that’s why we’re consistently winning,”

Monroe has compiled a record of 30 wins and 3 losses over the past three seasons under head coach Terrell Cunningham.

“We approached this offseason as we’ve approached every offseason,” said the sixth-year head coach. “We go into with an attention to skill development. We try not to reinvent stuff. There are things that we do well that we’ve always done well. We try to fine those things.”

This season, though, the Redjackets will have to figure out how to replace more than 3,000 all-purpose yards with the graduation of Messiah Hampton, Ray Garcia and Luis Falu from last year’s team.

Terrell “Pooty” Cunningham directed the offense from the quarterback spot last year. He is ready for any challenges that the upcoming season holds.

“We can definitely do some things without them,” the senior signal caller said. “We still find ways to get other guys the ball.”

The younger Cunningham, Jones and Walker will be joined by Terrance Barner and James Brumfield among others when the season gets underway.

“It’s definitely easy sleeping at night knowing I got the caliber of guys I got returning,” the elder Cunningham said. “These guys are looking to take the mantle for this year’s team.”

Monroe opens at Edison Tech on September 5th before hosting McQuaid on Friday, September 11th in the first-ever night game at Monroe.

The Redjackets travel to East on Friday, September 18th and host Honeoye Falls-Lima one week later. Monroe travels to Batavia on October 8th.