OAKWOOD — Despite six turnovers and nine penalties, Monroe Area showed resiliency, found a way to win and made a big stride toward clinching a playoff berth.
The Monroe Area Hurricanes (7-1, 3-1 Region 8B-AAA) defeated West Hall (3-5, 1-3 Region 8B-AAA) Friday night 26-0.
The Spartans' offense never got going. Their longest play from scrimmage was 19 yards. Their total offense: 67 yards.
"Our defense played very good," West Hall coach Mike Newton said. "We couldn't generate nothing offensively."
West Hall threw three interceptions. Starting quarterback Shunquez Stephens did not play due to injury.
"I have a ninth-grader playing quarterback, a ninth-grader playing receiver and a ninth-grader playing safety," Newton said.
Monroe Area quarterback Demontavious Smith tossed two interceptions in the first half. West Hall defensive back Brandon Fuqua intercepted a Smith pass with 5:21 left in the second quarter. Linebacker Ethan Stewart intercepted Smith for a second time with under one minute left in the second quarter.
In the first quarter, Smith scrambled and dove for a 5-yard touchdown with 1:46 left in the quarter.
With 3:20 left in the second quarter, Monroe Area running back Tre Burdette busted a 14-yard touchdown run, giving the Hurricanes a 13-0 lead at halftime.
Monroe Area saw two touchdowns, including a 53-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Fretwell, negated by penalties in the first half. They had six penalties for 45 yards in the first half.
Burdette would open the third quarter how he finished the second, scoring. Burdette return the second half kickoff 50 yards, then ran in the remaining 45 yards on the next play.
Burdette's second score gave Monroe Area a 20-0 lead 22 seconds into the second half. It was the only scoring of the third quarter.
"They're (Monroe Area) a good team," Newton said.
With 7:57 left in the game, Monroe Area line backer Montavisus Griffin intercepted and returned a pass for a touchdown, giving the Hurricanes a 26-0 lead.
"Not very happy with our offense," Monroe Area coach Matt Fligg said. "Our defense was aggravated from last week. 7-1, I'm happy. We won, but probably played our worst offensive game of the year."
Monroe Area host Johnson next week, while West Hall travels to Gainesville.