There were moments when the Monroe Red Jackets’ resemblance to a No. 1 state ranked high school football team was a stretch.
But there many more moments Nov. 22 that the Red Jackets very much looked like one of the best teams in the state.
The Red Jackets zoomed away from its mistakes, the Lackawanna Steelers and into the state tournament semifinals with a 40-14 win at All High Stadium in Buffalo.
The Red Jackets from the Rochester City School District never trailed Nov. 22, as their impressive pull away from the Section VI or Buffalo region champion was delayed until the Monroe offense began to get out of its own way in the second half.
There were issues on both ends of offensive snaps when the Monroe Red Jackets were in shotgun formation. But the Section V champions led Lackawanna by eight points about midway through the third quarter, until they put together an 80-yard drive to a touchdown.
This is the second time since 2023 that Monroe has advanced to the state final round. Monroe completed a dominant run last week to a second Section V football Class B Championship in three years.
Last season, the Monroe Red Jackets were moved to Class A by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association and then back to Class B for the winter and spring seasons. The Monroe football team lost in the Section V Class A tournament semifinals in the fall.
Player of the game
Messiah Hampton, Monroe: The University of Oregon-recruit scored three touchdowns, two on receptions and another on a 65-yard run as the Red Jackets faked a punt.
Play of the game
Monroe senior receiver Messiah Hampton also showed up here. The Red Jackets led 22-14, when Hampton caught a pass from quarterback Terrell Cunningham Jr. in the end zone as he beat a defender for a 33-yard touchdown about midway through the third quarter.
By the numbers
75 – Receiving yards for Messiah Hampton, as he scored two touchdowns among six catches.
3 – Touchdown passes by Monroe junior quarterback Terrell Cunningham Jr., who completed 17 of 23 attempts for 235 yards.
97 – Receiving yards on four receptions for Monroe receiver Ray Garcia, including a 32-yard touchdown when the junior made one of the best catches anyone will see this high school season.
15 – Tackles by Monroe senior linebacker Jermaine Montgomery, who also returned an interception for a touchdown during the final minute of the game.
2 – Interceptions by Monroe junior defensive back D’Markos Trammell.
1 – Interception by Monroe senior Christien Franklin.
10 – Tackles by Monroe senior Jovan Bennett.
What’s next
A much-delayed trip to the state semifinal round, where Monroe’s season ended in 2023. The Red Jackets play Owego Free Academy, the Binghamton region champion, 3 p.m. Nov. 29 at Cicero-North Syracuse.
Here is how the Monroe vs. Lackawanna state quarterfinal unfolded:
Monroe 40, Lackawanna 14 – Final
Monroe linebacker Jermaine Montgomery returns an interception for a touchdown with 47.5 seconds remaining.
Monroe 34, Lackawanna 14
4th quarter – 7:24
Touchdown, Monroe. Messiah Hampton takes a snap in punt formation and runs the ball 65 yards for a touchdown. The Red Jackets got the ball back on an interception by D’Markos Trammell, his second in the game.
Monroe 28, Lackawanna 14
End of 3rd quarter
Lackawanna punts. Monroe goes backward after issues with shotgun snaps pop up again.
Monroe 28, Lackawanna 14
3rd quarter – 5:33
Touchdown, Monroe. Red Jackets put together an 80-yard scoring drive. The last 33 yards are covered on a pass into the end zone to Messiah Hampton. Conversion run just falls short.
Monroe 22, Lackawanna 14
3rd quarter – 10:19
Touchdown, Lackawanna. Another deep pass strike by the Steelers. Michael Moore and D’Andre Jones connect for a 54-yard pass play to the end zone. Conversion attempt fails.
Lackawanna recovers the ball on the ensuing kickoff, but the Steelers kicked the ball before the officials were ready for play. Monroe is assessed a penalty on the play, so the Steelers kickoff from near midfield. The ball goes through the end zone for a touchback.
Monroe 22, Lackawanna 8
Halftime
The half ends with the Lackawanna offense moving far as the Monroe 17-yard line, but a sack pushes the Steelers back. A pass on the final play of the half goes out of the end zone. Issues with snaps in shotgun formation stops the Monroe offense during the second quarter.
Monroe 22, Lackawanna 8
2nd quarter – 1:15
Both offenses slowed a lot. Monroe backs up to surrendering two points for a safety. A snap in shotgun formation slips through the hands of Monroe quarterback Terrell Cunningham Jr. The Monroe defense has stopped the Steelers offense, which has improved.
Monroe 22, Lackawanna 6
2nd quarter – 10:58
Touchdown, Lackawanna. This time it is Steelers quarterback Michael Moore who finds a wide-open receiver. Cody Maeweather catches the pass for a 43-yard score. Conversion pass is ended by a sack.
Monroe 22, Lackawanna 0
1st quarter – 3:17
Touchdown and 2-point conversion by Christien Franklin, Monroe. The Red Jackets score in a situation where it is 4th down-and 27 at the Lackawanna 31. Terrell Cunningham throws a pass to a wide-open Raymond Garcia, who twists and dives to make the catch.
Monroe 14, Lackawanna 0
1st quarter – 6:17
Touchdown, Monroe, after a punt by Lackawanna. Raymond Garcia carries the ball nine yards down the center of the Steelers defense. A run by Jermaine Montgomery scores the 2-point conversion.
Monroe 6, Lackawanna 0
1st quarter – 8:15
Touchdown, Monroe. Offense has no issues moving the ball by the pass. Messiah Hampton takes a short, quick pass from quarterback Terrell Cunningham Jr. through tacklers and into the end zone during the 11-yard play.
What time is the Monroe vs. Lackawanna Class B state tournament quarterfinal?
Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday, November 22.
Where is the Monroe vs. Lackawanna Class B state tournament quarterfinal?
All High Stadium, Buffalo.
Monroe football photos
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Monroe vs. Lackawanna score, updates from NYS football playoffs
Reporting by James Johnson, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
