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MONROE Monroe completed its first ever undefeated season - and won its first conference title in 10 years - with a 40-9 home win against Union County rival Forest Hills on Friday night.
The Redhawks' running game was dominant, piling up 377 yards at 8.2 yards per carry. Shamiir Hailey led the way for Monroe with 289 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries.
The offensive line "created a lot of holes for me. I just tried to use the gaps and my speed," Hailey said.
The teams combined for a flurry of offense during the last seven minutes of the half.
Monroe (11-0, 8-0 Rocky River 2A/1A) got on the board with six minutes, 26-seconds remaining when Jamison Crowder returned a punt 59 yards for a 7-3 lead.
After stopping Forest Hills on its ensuing possession, the Redhawks scored again on a 31-yard receiver screen from Jalen Sowell to Issac Blakeney. Monroe's 79-yard drive lasted just 2:51 - capped when Blakeney broke three tackles and dragged the last defender five yards for the score.
Forest Hills (8-3, 7-1) would not be outdone. The Yellow Jackets scored on the next series in just four plays and 1:21, culminating with Juanne Blount's 30-yard run. The score cut Monroe's lead to 14-9.
Sowell connected with Blakeney from 22 yards with 21 seconds left, giving Monroe a 20-9 halftime lead.
The Sowell-Blakeney combination struck a third time on a 20-yard touchdown with 10:54 left in the fourth. The score began a Monroe streak of three-straight possessions with a TD that sealed the game.
Hailey's quickness was never more evident than when he broke a run of 85 yards up the middle to give Monroe a 33-9 lead with 8:04 left.
"I am happy for those kids," Monroe coach Johnny Sowell said. "They worked hard - in the weight room and out in the hot sun. They deserve this."
