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Something had to give when Monroe and Berry matched up Friday night.
It was either going to be the Redhawks high-powered offense or Berry's defense, which had three shutouts in its past four games.
Monroe would not be denied.
The Redhawks, who entered the game leading the state in scoring with more than 52 points per game, remained undefeated with a 62-28 road win.
After a high-scoring first quarter with four lead changes, both defenses buckled down, stalled drives and created turnovers in the second.
The turnover Berry forced, an interception returned 57 yards by Germone Hopper, led to the only points in the quarter: a 34-yard field goal by Armani McDonald as time expired. The kick cut Monroe's lead to 20-16 at halftime.
But the Redhawks (10-0, 7-0 Rocky River 2A/1A), separated themselves quickly in the third.
Monroe had three scores within three minutes, three seconds of each other to take a commanding lead.
Monroe, ranked No.9 in the Sweet 16, scored in seven plays on their opening possession of the half to take a 26-16 lead. The 70-yard drive culminated with Covington's 6-yard run.
After the defense stopped Berry on fourth-and-1 on the Redhawks 45, Monroe raced down and scored on another Covington run of 6 yards for a 32-16 lead.
The dagger came 1:03 later when Jamison Crowder fielded a punt on two hops, ran between a group of Cardinals defenders and then up the sideline for a 73-yard touchdown. Shamiir Hailey's two-point run gave Monroe a 40-16 lead.
The speed of both teams was evident early.
Hopper returned the opening kickoff 75 yards to give the Cardinals (7-3, 5-2) a 6-0 lead, but the extra point was missed. Hopper finished with 14 carries for 143 yards. Hailey (23 carries, 243 yards) had seven runs of 15 yards or more, several of which set up Covington scores. Covington had six touchdowns and 177 yards on 19 carries.
