Monroe Chat

Middletown Journal
By John Bombatch, Staff Writer
9:57 PM Thursday, October 1, 2009
When state-ranked and undefeated Carlisle visits once-beaten Monroe tonight, Oct. 2, in a key Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division contest, fans should expect to see a very evenly matched game.

That’s what the statistics say. That’s what both coaches say.

Carlisle is 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the SWBL Buckeye, while Monroe is 4-1, 1-0.

“We got a key play on special teams and that seemed to make the difference last year,” Monroe coach Ken Meibers said of last year’s 13-9 win keyed by a blocked punt return for a score.

“But those kids over there had a solid junior campaign and a lot of those kids are back this season. They’ve had three solid seasons in a row, and this time they’re coming in here undefeated.”

Both teams have solid quarterbacks. Monroe’s David Routson might not throw as much (42 passing attempts to Jacob Gibson’s 58), but he runs the ball more (30 yards per game average). Gibson has the passing numbers (508 to Routson’s 298), but hardly ever runs the ball.

Both teams have standout running backs. Carlisle’s Nick McGill has seven rushing touchdowns to his credit and has gained 746 yards on 103 carries. Monroe’s Devin King has gone 725 yards on 116 carries and has eight TDs.

Jordan Jacobs is Carlisle’s leading receiver with 139 yards, and there’s two other players (Josh Koogle and McGill) with over 90 yards through the air. Monroe’s primary receiver is Travis Hacker (13 catches for 222 yards).

Kicking is similar, too. The Hornets’ Zach Eckert has hit 3-of-6 field goals and 21-of-22 extra-point tries. Carlisle’s Kris Garrett has hit 2-of-3 field goals and 21-of-24 PATs.

Carlisle coach Billy Jewell expects the game to come down to two things.

“Penalties and turnovers,” said Jewell, who took his team to Springboro’s CareFlight Field to help familiarize them with Monroe’s Field Turf. Carlisle’s Laughlin Field is natural turf.

“Both of these teams bring a lot to the table, and we’re both pretty similar,” said Jewell, whose squad is fifth in the Division IV state rankings. “Whichever team takes care of the ball and doesn’t turn it over, and avoids the drive-killing penalties as well, that team is going to win this game.”

And the team that does turn it over and draw a few flags?

“That team is gonna pay. And it could be either one of us,” he said.


Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2851 or jbombatch@coxohio.com.

What a game it was!!!! One of the most exciting games I have seen, especially the suspense in the second half and fourth quarter. They willed themselves to win and did. Congratulations Hornets.

And for some trashtalking entertainment..............

http://www.middletownjournal.com/middle ... rue&page=2

Does anyone know what prompted Monroe's #1 to be ejected from the game? I know it was a personal foul, but that's it. It must've been really bad (could've resulted in injuries?) for him to get ejected.

fixitman wrote:Does anyone know what prompted Monroe's #1 to be ejected from the game? I know it was a personal foul, but that's it. It must've been really bad (could've resulted in injuries?) for him to get ejected.

From the trash talking thread in the journal and other rumors, it was a series of chokings, and then subsequent punchings of which the last one always gets caught! The thread above is really funny with each side accusing the other of being habitually "dirty" and sprinkled occasionally with some sane sportsmanship, but mostly trash talking. Can we really be surprised how our kids imitate what they see in their closest role models? Us?