Monarchs Rule 2nd Half To Remain Undefeated
Some endings of games are better than others, that is just a fact that cannot be denied not just in football but any sport. I’ve seen several games already this season and each has been special. Last night it was no different. The enthusiasm that emanated from the sideline amongst coaches and players was of pure joy.
You must remember that from 2018 to 2021 the Monarchs were winless. Meadowbrook has improved every season under Coach Rudd and to be now 3-0 to start the season, you can understand why they celebrated like they had just won it all. Coach Rudd got a refreshing bath from his players who reciprocate the love and respect he has for them. The Monarchs faced adversity last night and they passed the test. It was a sight to see for a program that has been at the top (2004 Class 5 champs) and been at the bottom (2018-2021).
1st Quarter Shutout For Wildcats
A game is not a sprint but rather a marathon. Although the Wildcats came out with the loss on this night, they did win the first quarter although that is no consolation to Deep Run. The Wildcats defense was most impressive in the first quarter as they were feisty and they were quick to the ball. Flying around the field, the Wildcats made it tough for Meadowbrook to get into rhythm early. Daryl Smith was one of those Wildcats making big plays as he got to Deshaun Chisem with a sack early on. The Monarchs were on offense twice and one of those possessions they were held to a 3 & out.
With time ticking on the first quarter Deep Run went big when Connor Pfalzgraf and Jack-Hudson Radford hooked up for a 34-yard touchdown. It honestly could not be a better start for the Wildcats.
Ball Control
I cannot think of another phrase that is better suited for the second quarter of play in this contest.
The Monarchs responded to the Wildcats scoring drive with one of their own to put a halt to the Wildcats plans for a shutout. The Monarchs scoring drive covered 50 yards in just eight plays. That drive featured a lot of Tyshawn Jackson, a couple of penalties and Isaiah Stanley of Deep Run breaking up a pass in the end zone. When the Monarchs did get it into the end zone it was Jackson from 6-yards out with a little over 9 minutes to go in the half.
From there it became a matter of who could hold onto the ball. The Monarchs could not do so on the PAT to tie the game, thus they found themselves trailing at the half 6-7.
The Wildcats were the benefactors of a roughing the passer call against Meadowbrook but Connor Pfalzgraf on the exchange dropped the ball. While he did cover he lost a ton of ground and then to make matters worse, he put it on the ground again. This time Connor would not make the cover as Kevin Brown of Meadowbrook would fall on it.
Moments later Deep Run would get it back when Isaiah Stanley would pick off Deshaun Chisem.
The defense of Meadowbrook began to awaken and the one standing out the most was Kevin Brown who was absolutely relentless last night. The times Brown brought pressure to the Wildcats QB or was in on a tackle was too numerous to count. His impact was unmeasurable as ran up 4 sacks on the night. One of those four sacks brought a close to the second quarter.
Momentum Monarchs
Deep Run would like to forget the third quarter. Between three penalties and the Monarchs defense the Wildcats came away with negative yards, no first downs and looking up on the scoreboard for the first time.
The penalties were Deep Run’s undoing on their first possession with a hold that set them back 10 yards facing 1st & 20 and then a false start to dig a bigger hole that they would not recover from.
On the Wildcats next possession the defense led by Kevin Brown was a continued to terrorize the Wildcats with relentless pressure and a lot of intensity. Jakai Spruill got to QB Connor Pfalzgraf forcing intentional grounding that resulted in a safety.
On the ensuing possession for Meadowbrook they overcame a personal foul penalty that set them back a mile when Kaden Jones hauled in a pass from his QB. Deshaun Chisem was feeling it on this drive with pass after pass. An offsides call set the Monarchs up nicely at the 7 and the ground game went to work from there as within 3 plays Ricari Enoch-Bailey was in the end zone. The Monarchs who had trailed 6-7 to start the half were now up 16-7 in the early stages of the fourth.
Back and Forth 4th
The Monarchs defense which came up big in the third quarter and had really become the story over the previous two quarters kept adding to this story. The Wildcats could make no forward progress and on 3rd & 11 the ball was on the ground and Kanyen Wronge was all over it.
It felt as though Meadowbrook might be on the back to victory but sometimes it is not that easy. With the Monarchs driving the ball popped loose and Isaiah Stanley was again there to make a play on defense for the Wildcats as he had done all game. Right time at the right place, the ball went right into the hands of Stanley who crushed a 79-yard return to get Deep Run right back into this thing.
The defense flexed their muscles on both sides respectively but neither could get back to the end zone until the Monarchs did so with a little more three minutes to go. Two plays is all Ricari Enoch-Bailey needed to find the end zone for a second time.
The Meadowbrook faithful were heard loud and proud as were the sidelines as the Monarchs could begin to feel it.
Deep Run needed a lot of luck to make something happen and they almost got it. The Wildcats had the ball 1st & goal at the 5 but after an incomplete pass, disaster struck. The ball was fumbled and Benjamin Baker was there for the recovery.
This game, this night belonged to Meadowbrook.
Meadowbrook 23, Deep Run 14 – Scoring Drive
| Time | Play | Score |
| 1Q – 11:48 | 34-yard pass from Connor Pfalzgraf to Jack-Hudson Radford. Lucas Rivadeneira PAT. | 7-0 Deep Run |
| 2Q – 9:43 | 6-yard run from Tyshawn Jackson. PAT no good. | 6-7 Meadowbrook |
| 3Q – 3:57 | Safety via Jakai Spruill. | 8-7 Meadowbrook |
| 4Q – 11:21 | Ricari Enoch-Bailey 2-yard run. 2-pt. conversion good. | 16-7 Meadowbrook |
| 4Q – 8:06 | Isaiah Stanley 79-yard fumble return. Lucas Rivadeneira PAT. | 14-16 Deep Run |
| 4Q – 3:14 | 21-yard run from Ricari Enoch-Bailey. Jason Rodriguez PAT. | 23-14 Meadowbrook |
Players of the Game
While the defense dictated the terms of the game, the fourth quarter Ricari Enoch-Bailey had cannot be ignored scoring twice. Ricari finished the night with 8 carries for 50 yards and 2 scores.
I came away most impressed with Isaiah Stanley who jumped off the page with an interception, a fumble return for a score and a couple of pass break ups.
Post-Game Interview
Post-Game Nuggets
Meadowbrook defense held Deep Run to just 72 yards of offense and 5 first downs.
Meadowbrook is 3-0 for the first time since the 2011 season.
This was Meadowbrook’s first win over Deep Run.
Coach Billy Rudd is now 12-13 as head coach of the Monarchs.
14 points allowed thru 3 games is the fewest for Meadowbrook since 2004.