By Mark Nesbitt
mnesbitt@
themonroetimes.com
MONROE - For Monroe football coach Toby Golembiewski, there's nothing worse than having nothing to play for the final two weeks of the season. In a must-win situation, the Cheesemakers still have plenty on the line.
Monroe can control its own destiny by winning the final two games to qualify for the playoffs. It starts Friday when the Cheesemakers (3-4, 2-3 Badger South) host Edgewood (0-7, 0-5) in a must-win game. Golembiewski understands the game against the Crusaders could be a trap.
"This is a dangerous team to play at this time of the year," Golembiewski said of Edgewood. "It's a dangerous situation if we allow ourselves to be complacent. You are playing against a lot of guys who have nothing to lose. They are not going to win the conference or make the playoffs. They are playing because they love football. They are out there trying to stick it to someone. If we are not prepared mentally it could be the perfect storm for them."
After being shut out in back-to-back games, the Cheesemakers' offense started clicking on all cylinders in a 28-27 overtime win over Fort Atkinson last week. It was a complete game for the Cheesemakers in all three phases - offense, defense and special teams. Monroe rushed for 304 yards as a team and had three interceptions.
"No one part of the game can be as good as it can be without the other parts - offense, defense and special teams succeeding," Golembiewski said. "We played bend but don't break defense. We had three interceptions and better field position on kickoff returns."
The Crusaders run a 5-2 defense with five lineman and two linebackers - similar to the defensive schemes of Milton and Reedsburg. In the game against Reedsburg, the Cheesemakers gashed the Beavers for 344 rushing yards in a 31-13 win. With several players injured against a similar-style defense, the Cheesemakers struggled to sustain drives and lost 12-7 to the Red Hawks.
Monroe junior Jordan Montgomery has a team-high 313 rushing yards and one touchdown. Senior Dempzy Foley has rushed for 299 yards and three touchdowns and sophomore Nick Bansley has rushed for 292 yards and scored two touchdowns. Bansley also has a 60-yard TD reception this season.
Sophomore offensive lineman Darien Hargrove (ankle injury) is expected to play. The Cheesemakers will be without senior defensive back and wide receiver Brayden Zettle (broken and dislocated thumb), senior running back and linebacker Travis Wolf (broken bone in leg), sophomore lineman Alan Whitehead (knee) and junior offensive lineman Jacob Brennan.
"We have to keep getting better every week," Golembiewski said. "We have to continue to put the throttle down. There is always a chance for a big play if everyone does their job. Each player needs to do their job and we can come out with an injury-free win."
The Crusaders run a multiple formation offense that features the option and some shotgun short passing plays. Edgewood quarterback Thomas Hartlieb completed 9 of 15 passes for 69 yards in a 37-6 loss to Oregon last week. Edgewood running back Greg Zentmyer rushed for 69 yards on six carries last week. At times, the Crusaders have played two quarterbacks this year, including the 6 foot, 5 inch 250 pound Jack McNeill, who also plays tight end. In the Crusaders' 42-17 loss to Fort Atkinson two weeks ago, Joe Beste rushed for 102 yards and scored one touchdown.
"They just take what the defense gives them," Golembiewski said. "Their quarterback last week (Hartlieb) is more of a runner. When McNeill played quarterback, he was always in shotgun. He's less likely to be a runner. They have moved the ball in games, but have stalled out with turnovers and penalties."
Monroe senior Sam Kind leads the team with 61.5 tackles. Junior linebacker Jacob Amacher, who has 55 tackles and two sacks), is expected to play after suffering a back injury and leaving the game last week. At defensive end, Foley, has 54.5 tackles and 1.5 sacks. The Cheesemakers are forcing an average of 1.7 turnovers per game. Bansley has a team-high four interceptions and junior Anthany Hernandez has three interceptions.
Golembiewski doesn't need to remind his team they are playing for - a potential playoff berth for the second straight year.
"Guys are still hungry," he said. "We want to still be able to keep that hunger for the rest of the regular season. If we are able to do it (win final two games and make the playoffs) that would be a great achievement for this young team."
mnesbitt@
themonroetimes.com
MONROE - For Monroe football coach Toby Golembiewski, there's nothing worse than having nothing to play for the final two weeks of the season. In a must-win situation, the Cheesemakers still have plenty on the line.
Monroe can control its own destiny by winning the final two games to qualify for the playoffs. It starts Friday when the Cheesemakers (3-4, 2-3 Badger South) host Edgewood (0-7, 0-5) in a must-win game. Golembiewski understands the game against the Crusaders could be a trap.
"This is a dangerous team to play at this time of the year," Golembiewski said of Edgewood. "It's a dangerous situation if we allow ourselves to be complacent. You are playing against a lot of guys who have nothing to lose. They are not going to win the conference or make the playoffs. They are playing because they love football. They are out there trying to stick it to someone. If we are not prepared mentally it could be the perfect storm for them."
After being shut out in back-to-back games, the Cheesemakers' offense started clicking on all cylinders in a 28-27 overtime win over Fort Atkinson last week. It was a complete game for the Cheesemakers in all three phases - offense, defense and special teams. Monroe rushed for 304 yards as a team and had three interceptions.
"No one part of the game can be as good as it can be without the other parts - offense, defense and special teams succeeding," Golembiewski said. "We played bend but don't break defense. We had three interceptions and better field position on kickoff returns."
The Crusaders run a 5-2 defense with five lineman and two linebackers - similar to the defensive schemes of Milton and Reedsburg. In the game against Reedsburg, the Cheesemakers gashed the Beavers for 344 rushing yards in a 31-13 win. With several players injured against a similar-style defense, the Cheesemakers struggled to sustain drives and lost 12-7 to the Red Hawks.
Monroe junior Jordan Montgomery has a team-high 313 rushing yards and one touchdown. Senior Dempzy Foley has rushed for 299 yards and three touchdowns and sophomore Nick Bansley has rushed for 292 yards and scored two touchdowns. Bansley also has a 60-yard TD reception this season.
Sophomore offensive lineman Darien Hargrove (ankle injury) is expected to play. The Cheesemakers will be without senior defensive back and wide receiver Brayden Zettle (broken and dislocated thumb), senior running back and linebacker Travis Wolf (broken bone in leg), sophomore lineman Alan Whitehead (knee) and junior offensive lineman Jacob Brennan.
"We have to keep getting better every week," Golembiewski said. "We have to continue to put the throttle down. There is always a chance for a big play if everyone does their job. Each player needs to do their job and we can come out with an injury-free win."
The Crusaders run a multiple formation offense that features the option and some shotgun short passing plays. Edgewood quarterback Thomas Hartlieb completed 9 of 15 passes for 69 yards in a 37-6 loss to Oregon last week. Edgewood running back Greg Zentmyer rushed for 69 yards on six carries last week. At times, the Crusaders have played two quarterbacks this year, including the 6 foot, 5 inch 250 pound Jack McNeill, who also plays tight end. In the Crusaders' 42-17 loss to Fort Atkinson two weeks ago, Joe Beste rushed for 102 yards and scored one touchdown.
"They just take what the defense gives them," Golembiewski said. "Their quarterback last week (Hartlieb) is more of a runner. When McNeill played quarterback, he was always in shotgun. He's less likely to be a runner. They have moved the ball in games, but have stalled out with turnovers and penalties."
Monroe senior Sam Kind leads the team with 61.5 tackles. Junior linebacker Jacob Amacher, who has 55 tackles and two sacks), is expected to play after suffering a back injury and leaving the game last week. At defensive end, Foley, has 54.5 tackles and 1.5 sacks. The Cheesemakers are forcing an average of 1.7 turnovers per game. Bansley has a team-high four interceptions and junior Anthany Hernandez has three interceptions.
Golembiewski doesn't need to remind his team they are playing for - a potential playoff berth for the second straight year.
"Guys are still hungry," he said. "We want to still be able to keep that hunger for the rest of the regular season. If we are able to do it (win final two games and make the playoffs) that would be a great achievement for this young team."
