Coach: Monroe O must own game

Wyoming has explosive offense, led by Seyfried, that Meibers would like to keep off the field.

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By Rick Cassano, Staff Writer Updated 11:48 AM Friday, November 13, 2009

MONROE — Ken Meibers wants to see as little of Wyoming High School quarterback Kyle Seyfried as possible tonight, Nov. 13.

The plan is for Monroe’s triple-option offense to be a ball-control force in the Division III, Region 12 football semifinal at Kings, thus keeping Seyfried and the high-powered Cowboy offense on the sideline. And if that works, whenever Wyoming does have the ball, the Hornets will be fresh on defense.

Meibers, Monroe’s second-year head coach, knows it’s all easier said than done.

“That’s pretty much our philosophy in general, and we’ll try to do that against Wyoming,” Meibers said. “This is by far the best quarterback we’ve faced this year. We need to create first downs. We need to finish drives.”

Seyfried, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound junior, has converted 173-of-258 passes for the unbeaten Cowboys, totaling 2,887 yards, 36 touchdowns and just five interceptions.

Wyoming, representing the Cincinnati Hills League, is scoring 43 points per game.

“We knew he was going to be good in the seventh grade, but I never imagined he’d be this good,” Cowboys coach Bernie Barre said of Seyfried. “He’s got a great arm, he’s mobile, and he doesn’t make many mistakes.”

Meibers is quick to point out that Seyfried isn’t the only weapon in Wyoming’s spread offense.

Senior running back Isaiah Nearor has rushed 131 times for 910 yards and 15 touchdowns. Three receivers have big numbers — senior Harry Meisner (57 catches, 908 yards, 12 TDs), senior Evan Aleshire (42 catches, 847 yards, 13 TDs) and junior Jonathon Tighe (36 catches, 693 yards, six TDs).

The defense is Barre’s primary concern, even with 6-foot-2, 253-pound senior end Jibreel Black leading the way. Wyoming has allowed 81 points the last two weeks, and Barre said his squad doesn’t see the triple option very often.

That’s Monroe’s offensive foundation, with junior Devin King (246 carries, 1,617 yards, 18 TDs) as the primary tool. And the Hornets’ defense has been very good, with the first-stringers posting nine second-half shutouts this year.

Today’s game

Who: Monroe (9-2) vs. Wyoming (11-0)
What: Division III, Region 12 football semifinal
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Kings High School, Kings Mills
Radio: WPFB-AM (910)
Playoff history: Monroe is 11-7 in eight trips to the playoffs. Wyoming is 12-15 in 17 years of postseason play.

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