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Monroe football team gets a lift from juniors’ rededication

Postseason return proof that hard work in the offseason can win ballgames.

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By John Boyle, Staff Writer Updated 2:28 AM Wednesday, November 4, 2009

MONROE — Coming off a disappointing 5-5 season — the first non-playoff season for the program in four seasons — in his first year at the helm, Monroe High School football coach Ken Meibers and members of his staff mulled an important decision last November.

Start the offseason weightlifing program during the first day of Thanksgiving break — the first day it was allowed — or give the players another week off and start the following week.

Meibers and Co. decided to make a stand.

“There was no school in session the whole week,” Meibers recalled. “We decided we needed to make a statement. We were thinking, ‘If we don’t do this and wait a week, it’s going to appear that we don’t think weightlifting is important, and we know from our years at Colerain how important the offseason is. That’s when the games are won and lost.”

It turned out to be a big win for the Hornets.

Every junior — this year’s senior class — showed up to the weightlifting session that first day.

“That kind of said a lot,” Meibers said. “We set the standard and they met it. This year’s seniors are a strong group. They bought in. They didn’t ask any questions. They just went to work.”

The dedication off the field has carried over on the field, where the Hornets posted an 8-2 record, won a share of the Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division championship and returned to the state playoffs.

Monroe, the sixth seed, will face No. 3 Chaminade-Julienne (8-2) at 7:30 p.m. Friday night at Welcome Stadium in a Division III, Region 12 quarterfinal.

“All the guys in (the locker room), we just put in the work,” Monroe senior wingback Stephen Kelley said. “We believed, and here we are.”

After 0-4 start to the 2008 season, the Hornets are 13-3.

Besides the weight room work, Meibers said another year learning the triple-option attack also paid huge dividends.

“We’ve been on a good run lately,” Meibers said. “Last year I underestimated the difficulty of installing a new system. I thought I could come in and they would get it. But it was a massive change (from the pass-oriented spread to the run-oriented option). There’s not one aspect of the offenses that are the same.

“But we just kind of did our thing and the kids bought in and learned it. Through time and practice, it just changed the mentality.”

The Hornets have amassed 2,607 yards (260.7 per game, 5.8 per carry) on the ground this season.

Junior fullback Devin King has been the workhorse. The 6-foot, 185-pounder broke the school’s single-season rushing record this season. King, who averages 6.9 yards per carry, is at 1,570 yards and counting.

Next game

What: Division III first-round playoff game

Who: Monroe Hornets (8-2) at Chaminade Julienne Eagles (8-2)

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6

Where: Welcome Stadium, Dayton

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Nice to see even hornet alumni(hornet'85 & hornet'89) dislike the new unimproved hornets!!!

samson
7:29 PM, 11/4/2009

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GO HORNETS!

Hornet09
3:39 PM, 11/4/2009

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Don't like Monroe, never will! Poor sportsmanship oozes from every disgusting thing there. See you at the game in my green and my HORNET HATERZ attire!!! GO CJ!!!!!

hornet'85
2:29 PM, 11/4/2009

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Monros and Massie continue to dog Waynesville, they are sthe smallest d-iv team in the state and give the some credit, they play hard and do it the right way. They dont have move ins and starred players like you

WHAT U TALKIN ABOUT
12:34 PM, 11/4/2009

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Meibers said they been on a good run lately, I wouldn't call losing to Waynesville part of a good run.
Now you're going to get your as*es whippen in the 1st playoff game.

Hornet 89
9:59 AM, 11/4/2009

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