Early games will put Monessen to test
By John Sacco
For the Observer-Reporter
newsroom@observer-reporter.com
It will not take Wade Brown long to figure out what the Monessen Greyhounds football team might be like in his second season as head coach.
Monessen opens it season Friday at Wash High Stadium against the Prexies and then host Cornell for a rematch with the Raiders (Sept. 2), who they lost to in the opening round of the WPIAL Class A playoffs in 2021.
Washington (Class 2A) and Cornell (A) are expected to be top contenders in their respective classifications.
“We think it’s going to be beneficial for us to play two teams of that caliber right off the bat,” said Brown, who in his first season turned Monessen back to respectability and into the postseason.
“Washington and Cornell are fast and talented. They both have a lot of athletes and team speed.
“We think competing against them will really help prepare us for the season and certainly the kind of competition we would see in the postseason if we would advance there again.”
The Greyhounds, who went 4-7 overall last season, remain in the newly realigned Tri-County South Conference where, if they remain healthy, improve and maintain their roster, have a chance to contend and return to the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
In addition to Monessen returning to the conference other teams include Bentworth, California, Carmichaels, Jefferson-Morgan, Mapletown and West Greene along with Beth-Center, which has dropped from Class 2A. The Bulldogs replaced Avella as the Eagles moved to the Black Hills Conference.
“We took steps in the right direction last season,” Brown said. “We have a chance to be a good team, a chance. Hopefully, our players are willing to put in the necessary time and effort. We hope they will.
“It’s important the kids get a feel for postseason football and what it takes to win and have success. Knowing what it is going to take to be good and to grow is an important step in the process.”
Monessen had its games and moments last season – good and bad. After starting 3-2, the Greyhounds suffered through a four-game losing streak when scored just 28 points. They clinched a playoff spot by grinding out a 14-6 win at Avella.
The Greyhounds, who finished 3-4 in the conference to finish fifth, enjoyed big games against Charleroi (24-6) and Bentworth (50-7) and difficult performances against Carmichaels (40-6) and California (23-0).
Monessen had its good moments in games against Washington, Imani Christian, West Greene and Cornell, all losses.
That inconsistency, especially offensively, cost them. The Greyhounds battled Mapletown but could not sustain any offense in a 15-8 defeat. They missed opportunities against Imani, West Greene and California – putting unnecessary stress on the defense.
Monessen averaged 14.3 points per game and yielded only 19.3 points per game, including losses to Washington and Cornell where they allowed 42 and 33 points, respectively.
“We’re still a young team and we have a lot of room to grow,” Brown said. “We didn’t take advantage of some opportunities we had and we did put our defense in some bad spots.
“It’s all a part of being better at practice and focusing on things that make you successful overall and against good teams. I hope we learned some lessons.”
As has been an unfortunate case in recent years, Monessen lost two starters who would have returned this season to transfer.
Brown is focused on who he does have.
That group includes junior Lorenzo Gardner (QB-WR), sophomore Daniel Dozier (QB-RB-WR), senior Nigier Foster (WR-DB), junior Daevon Burke, and senior linemen, Jaisean Blackman and Trevian Thompson (tackle). Also returning up front is senior Giovonie Isbell. Blackman will likely move to center from tackle. Isbell could be a “blocking fullback, said Brown.
Junior Jermere Majors, the Greyhounds’ top defender, returns at middle linebacker and he should be the cornerstone of what can be a solid unit. Junior Leonaj Thomas is being counted on to be a presence defensively.
“We have a lot of guys back and good players,” Brown said. “Jemere was outstanding last year. We’ll try to find a way to use both Lorenzo and Daniel at quarterback.
“We are striving to be a better team. We got a little taste last year.”
The Greyhounds also play at Frazier in a non-conference, game before beginning conference play at Bentworth (Sept. 16).