MADISON – For the first time since 1994, the Monroe Cheesemakers are WIAA State Champions in football. Monroe defeated West Salem 35-14 in the Division 3 title game Friday, Nov. 18 at Camp Randall Stadium.

Senior Tucker Markham had 170 yards and four touchdowns to lead the way for Monroe. Alex Hernandez added another 122 yards, while Keatin Sweeney ripped off 50 yards and a score.

Monroe forced three West Salem turnovers in the first quarter and went up 14-0. West Salem answered in the second quarter with a score, but Monroe scored the next three touchdowns and led 35-7 with less than eight minutes to play in the fourth quarter.

Over the entirety of the game, the Cheesemakers out-paced the Panthers in every statistical category but one – passing (42-126):

•  First Downs (23-8)

•  Rushing yards (341-64)

•  Offensive yards (383-190)

•  Time of possession (42:51-17:09)

•  Forced turnovers (4-1)

Monroe also finished the regular season 15 yards from the all-time state single-season rushing record. A miscue bad snap on a field goal attempt took off 16 yards, and Monroe knelt out the clock in the final seconds for another single-yard loss. Throughout the season, the team had ample opportunities to tack on more rushing yards, but didn’t need to, as 10 of Monroe’s 14 games were decided by more than 35 points, which triggers the mercy-rule running clock, and the Cheesemakers typically filled that time by putting in the second and third string players.

The gold ball is the sixth in program history, joining the teams from 1986, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1994.

For a more in-depth recap of the game, plus reaction from members of the team and photos, check out the Wednesday, Nov. 25 edition of the Monroe Times.