Monroe prepared for big, strong CJ

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By John Boyle, Staff Writer Updated 7:00 AM Friday, November 6, 2009

MONROE — The Monroe High School football team doesn’t have much experience against Greater Catholic League competition.

But second-year coach Ken Meibers is all too familiar with the GCL from his days as an assistant at Colerain.

Meibers will get another chance to face a GCL team tonight, Nov. 6, when the Hornets meet Chaminade Julienne in a Division III, Region 12 quarterfinal at Welcome Stadium in Dayton.

“I actually like the concept of playing those guys,” Meibers said. “I’ve been relating it back to the days when I was back at Colerain and we were battling Elder, St. Xavier and Moeller — the GCL South schools. Now it’s just got a different twist.”

CJ coach Andy Helms believes the rugged GCL schedule, plus nonleague games against Troy and Thurgood Marshall, has the Eagles (8-2) primed for the postseason. Not to mention a playoff-like showdown vs. defending D-IV state champion Alter last week.

“Our kids are great competitors,” Helms said. “That’s what’s allowed us to find ways to win games. ... Now that we’re in the playoffs, we’re making sure we focus on the execution part of it. We know we’re going to get the effort, but can we execute?”

Quarterback Michael Simpson directs the Eagles’ spread offense.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound sophomore has passed for 1,495 yards, 14 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Simpson’s favorite target is 5-5, 155-pound senior Jermar Rayford. Rayford leads CJ with 39 receptions for 470 yards and six TDs. Junior running back Aaron Stokes is the Eagles’ top rusher with 865 yards.

“We have to control the ball and keep their offense off the field,” Meibers said. “Their defense is very good, too, so it’s going to be a challenge. We’re going to line up and go against guys that are bigger than us and guys that are strong.”

The Hornets (8-2) are led by junior fullback Devin King, who established a new single-season rushing school record last week in a 49-6 win over Northridge. King rushed for 274 yards against the Polar Bears to up his season total to 1,570 yards. He’s scored 18 TDs.

“It’s one of those deals where you’re going to have to go out and beat them,” Helms said. “(Monroe’s) not going to give you anything.”

CJ boasts one of the top defenses in the Greater Catholic League.

The Eagles, who run a multiple 3-4 scheme, allow 210.7 yards per game and only 8.8 points per game.

Monroe allows 247.4 yards and 15.3 points per game, and has been disruptive. They’ve recorded 79 tackles for loss.

“We’ve had the same routine and the same schedule,” Meibers said. “When it boils down to it, they’ve got kids that are 15, 16 and 17 years old, and so do we. It doesn’t matter if you’re public or private or what league your from. You prepare to put your best team on the field.”

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Monroe won against CJ btw.

CowboyD
12:02 AM, 11/7/2009

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Why would Fenwick leave one of the top leagues in the state to join the swbl... If Monroe played the same schedule as Fenwick istead of their SWBL schedule they would have had the same record as Fenwick. The SWBL is a joke.. that showed when an average GCL North team (Fenwick) crushed Monroe. But good luck Hornets

Jack Mehoff
6:04 PM, 11/6/2009

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Come on Fenwick! You guys beat Monroe on your home field. You guys have fallen apart since then. I really believe it would be a totally different game now! With the CJ/Monroe matchup, well, that it a tuff draw for the hornets. But the funny thing is that you Fenwick fans BRAG but you only play the little schools in the GCL. Elder, St Xavier, Moeller would CRUSH you! That's why you don't play them. They CRUSH you in baskeball. You should probably move to another league---SWBL--.....

hornetfan89
4:00 PM, 11/6/2009

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Fenwick had a tough year...sure did handle Monroe though. They nearly came back for a win against CJ as well. Really only one ugly game, and that was the Alter game.

Jammin
3:33 PM, 11/6/2009

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Go Hornets! Make us proud!!!!!

Carlisle Fans
1:59 PM, 11/6/2009

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