Matt Stewart
sports@albanyherald.com
ALBANY — Within a four-minute conversation, Monroe High senior lineman Early Mumphrey mentioned execution more than five times.
g Mumphrey on Monroe’s mid-season back-to-back losses to region foes Peach County and Cairo: “We didn’t execute when we needed to.”
g Mumphrey on bouncing back from a regular season finale loss to Worth County: “We all knew we had to come back and work. We just had to execute. Our whole mindset is execution.”
g And finally, the senior center and defensive tackle discussing the Tornadoes’ three losses, in which they averaged less than 10 offensive points: “We’ve kind of struggled offensively, but we’re going to get it. Just got to execute.”
In case it’s not clear, execution will be key for Monroe (7-3) when the playoffs begin Friday. As the Region 1-AAA No. 4 seed, the Tornadoes have the deck stacked against them, having to travel three hours to Region 4-AAA No. 1 seed and undefeated Jackson (10-0).
The talent on Lippitt Drive is there, but it’s been an up and down season for Monroe, although there’s been marked improvement from last season, which was the first year in the past five seasons the Tornadoes didn’t make the playoffs.
“It’s either win or go home,” Monroe offensive guard and defensive tackle David Coe said. “I think we’ve had a pretty good season. A few setbacks, but this is my senior season and it didn’t turn out the way I wanted. We didn’t go 10-0, but now we’re just fighting for a championship. We’re in (the playoffs).”
Monroe started 4-0, the second straight year they were undefeated before beginning region play, but fell to region powers Peach County and Cairo before winning three straight including the city championship.
The Tornadoes then ended the regular season with a disappointing loss to Worth County after coming out flat in the second half and giving up a first-half lead.
“(The players) didn’t let down and they knew we had to get better,” Monroe head coach Charles Truitt said. “They know they’ve got a second chance to play. We’ve just got to rebound and see how many games we can win.”
Letdowns in three games this season have now led to this — a long road trip north as an underdog to face an undefeated team, which features four-star defensive end and receiver Neiron Ball, who has committed to Florida.
“We like that type of environment,” Mumphrey said of playing in enemy territory, where Monroe is 0-4 this decade in the playoffs. The Tornadoes are 2-0 at home in the postseason. “We like being the underdog. It makes you feel good when you come out on top. That’s what motivates us.”
Jackson also went 10-0 in the regular season last year before losing in the first round of the playoffs. Both the Red Devils and Tornadoes have allowed less than 10 points per game this season, although Jackson has scored about 10 more points per game compared to Monroe.
A Monroe win Friday would put all the lesser disappointments during the regular season behind them and send the Tornadoes on the road again next week to face the LaGrange-Liberty County winner in a GHSA Class AAA second round playoff game.
And, of course, there’s that reoccurring word that can make it happen.
“If we execute our game plan and play the way we’re capable of playing, I love our chances,” Truitt said. “(Every team’s record is) 0-0 and there’s 32 teams left. We’re one of those 32 teams. It’s do or die now. You’ve got to win in order to practice next week.”