MONROE Albemarle handed Monroe its first loss of the season with a punishing running game and opportunistic defense in a 24-13 win Friday night.
The Bulldogs gained 334 of their 351 yards on the ground, led by Jamar Corpening (21 carries, 201 yards) and A.J. Little (76 yards on 16 carries).
“Our offense sputtered at times, but we were able to get it going,” Albemarle coach Baxter Morris said. “We have a young offensive line, but we have a lot of depth in the backfield.”
The Bulldogs (6-1, 3-0 Rocky River 2A) struck first with 7 minutes, 12 seconds remaining in the second quarter when Shequan Parker broke lose on the right side for a 49-yard touchdown run and 7-0 lead.
That would be the lone score of the first half as both defenses bent, but stiffened up to stop drives within the 10.
Monroe answered on the first possession after halftime with a seven play, 80-yard drive – all handled by running back Donnard Covington, who rushed in from 44 yards to tie the score at 7. Covington finished with 33 carries for 194 yards for the Redhawks, ranked 13th in the Sweet 16.
But the Bulldogs, ranked No.15, scored the next 17 points – including a 71-yard punt return by Chris Watson for a 17-7 lead with 10:21 remaining.
Albemarle's defense stopped a Monroe (6-1, 2-1) drive inside the 10 for the second time when Monroe quarterback Nolan McBride fumbled on a sneak.
McBride finished 12 of 25 passing for 168 yards – nine of those completions went to Jamison Crowder for 136 yards and a touchdown.
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