by TYLER HATHAWAY
ROCHESTER, N.Y– It didn’t take long for Monroe to make itself known on Saturday.
Monroe scored 18 points in the first three minutes and never looked back as the Red Jackets (7-0) knocked off Canisius (3-5/Monsignor Martin) 42-15 at Monroe High School.
“We played sound, we played to the gameplan, and we played disciplined football,” said Monroe head coach Terrell Cunningham. “That was the plan.”
Monroe opened the game with a 67-yard passing touchdown from Pooty Cunningham to Brien Walker on the second play from scrimmage.
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Less than 15 seconds later, a punch out from Desean Thomas was recovered by Gregory Grant for a scoop-and-score to make it 12-0. Then, a 50-yard pick six by James Brumfield put the Red Jackets up by three scores at the 8:57 mark of the opening quarter.
“It was big,” Brumfield said of the Red Jackets starting fast. “If we started slow, they would have came in and punched us in the mouth. We had to put gas to the pedal.”
Monroe struck once more with four and a half minutes left in the first quarter, with Cunningham delivering a ball to Brumfield for a 35-yard touchdown that made it 24-0. Cunningham had the deep ball working all day, and finished with 282 passing yards.
“I used to be a firm believer that the run opens up the pass,” said the coach. “That mindset has shifted for me because we got the best quarterback in the state. His ability to throw the football often times opens up the run, and for whatever else we want to do on offense. It’s the reason he’s number one in Section V in most stats. I’m grateful to have him as my quarterback and ultimately my son.”
Canisius scored before the end of the first quarter to make it 24-8. Cunningham found Ray Garcia for a touchdown just before the first half ended, then pick sixes on back-to-back drives by Barner and Brumfield put the game on ice early in the third quarter. The Red Jackets finished the day having forced five turnovers.
“That’s everything,” Cunningham said of how important turnovers are. “We believe that defense, even though we haven’t been playing to our standard, can get us where we want to be. (Success) is going to be from us locking down and making plays on defense.”
“(Defense) is a period for us,” said Brumfield. “We hold that to a high value. The coaches are on us every day, every practice.”
Brumfield finished the afternoon with three catches for 67 yards and a touchdown, six tackles, and the two pick-sixes.
“He’s a dog,” Cunningham said of the junior. “He knows our expectations. Just because he’s a younger guy of the bunch, he doesn’t let up. If you didn’t know how old he was you couldn’t tell he’s a younger guy. He knows the expectations, he knows what we’ve put into him as far as preparation, and all we do is sit back and marvel at what he’s become. The best has yet to come.”
Monroe also made two fourth down stops, and stopped a fake punt attempt.
“We believe that football has three phrases, offense, defense and special teams,” said Cunningham. “We believe that we can score from any of them fast. We don’t take plays off, we don’t treat special teams like opportunities to get inexperienced guys opportunities. We treat every unit like one that’s beneficial to the success of the game. We don’t look to let off the gas, we want everything to be 100% in all three phases.”
Brien Walker had four catches for 130 yards, while Ray Garcia had four catches for 60 yards. Alijah Jones paced the Red Jacket defense with 10 tackles and a sack. Terrance Barner and Yahmir Hightower each made eight tackles.
Elijah Kimble scored both touchdowns for Canisius.
Monroe, who is the top-seed in Class B, will start its run at a second straight Section V and state championship next week.
“We just need to continue to follow the gameplan,” said Cunningham. “Follow the gameplan, and execute. That’s the key. I believe our gameplan every week is going to be flawless, and as long as our guys go out there and get the job done we’re going to be successful.”
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