Dome, sweet dome - Monroe-Woodbury Crusaders win it all in state championship

Central Valley - Just how the heck was a rookie quarterback going to lead Monroe-Woodbury back to the sectional championship? That was the question around the area after the Crusaders graduated most of their nucleus from last year’s title team, including two-time all-state quarterback Matt Stack. The answer stood on the Carrier Dome turf last Sunday afternoon: Greg Sullivan lead Monroe-Woodbury to an undefeated season, including Sunday’s surprisingly easy 32-10 victory over Webster-Thomas in the state class AA championship. He also was named the game’s Most Valuable Player after going 11-15 for 169 yards and three touchdown passes. “What happened to those shoes I had to fill?” asked Sullivan after the game referring to a Photo News article back in August assessing the team’s chances. “Now I get to go to Disney World. “This is just amazing,” Sullivan added as he walked off the field. “A perfect day.” But after the Webster Thomas Titans had marched right down the field on Monroe-Woodbury on the game’s opening drive, things didn’t look like they would shape up well for them. Quarterback Robbie Brown scored on a draw from three yards out with 7:09 remaining in the period. “I was scared when they marched right down the field on us,” said Monroe-Woodbury coach Pat D’Aliso. “But Coach (Bernie) Connolly adjusted like he always does. A lot of coaches went into this, really.” “We came out a little shaky’” said defensive tackle Chris Dollbaum, who anchored the unit that allowed just 58 points in 12 games. “After that, our ‘A’ game came out.” Then, Chris Johnson gave Monroe-Woodbury their Mojo back. According to D’Aliso, the team’s most underrated player can’t hide anymore. Especially after he fielded the ensuing kick off on a bounce at the eight-yard line and returned it 92 yards down the Titans sideline. Anthony Caccarro missed the extra point as the Titans held a short-lived 7-6 lead. “When I picked the ball up I saw 10 purple jerseys,” said Johnson. “I knew I was gone.” “What a huge momentum swing,” said Dollbaum. “Johnson’s return was the biggest play of this game,” said D’Aliso. “After they scored we were like, ‘Oh, Lord! What happened?’ But as soon as he returned that kick, it was like they couldn’t stop us.” After forcing a three-and-out, it was vintage Monroe-Woodbury football. Sullivan hit Neil Ingenito for 13 yards, then for seven more. But a late hit tacked on 15 yards moving the ball all the way to the Titans’ 38-yard line. Sullivan’s two-yard run on fourth-and-two moved the chains on the quarter’s final play. The next snap saw him elude several Titans on his way to a 20-yard sprint all the way to the three. David Landesberg was stuffed on first-and-goal. But Sullivan rolled to his right and hit a wide open Johnson for a two-yard score. The conversion failed again, but Monroe-Woodbury held a 12-7 advantage. Chris Duggan’s fumble recovery then put the ball back in Sullivan’s hands. But not for long. He threw a jump ball to split end Mike Septh and the senior snatched the 30-yard bomb with one hand as he blew past cornerback Dan Davidson. The Crusaders led 18-7 with 8:10 left in the half. The stingy Crusader defense made back-to-back tackles for a loss on the Titans’ next drive. Then Ingenito jumped the slant route ran by Eric Sheremeta and intercepted Brown’s pass, returning it 51 yards as the lead ballooned to 25-7 after a Caccarro extra point. Webster-Thomas threatened late in the half as they had a first-and-goal from the 10-yard line. But a sack by blitzing linebacker Keith Hale (seven tackles, forced fumble) forced the Titans to attempt a fake field goal on fourth down. But Dan Mauriello and Mike Attanasio (11 tackles) had none of it as they snuffed out the trick play. After the Titans added a third quarter field goal, Mike Septh had a message for some scouts from Syracuse University who had shown luke-warm interest earlier in the week. Sullivan’s toss on fourth-and-eight landed in his arms as he soared over a pair of Titans in front of the left pylon. Caccarro’s kick made it 32-10 with 11:54 left. “He’s a fantastic wide receiver,” said D’Aliso. “I hope Syracuse was here watching him.” “After watching this today, I hope they are still interested,” said Septh. “I’d love to go to school here.” Septh (sportsmanship), Johnson (Most Valuable Offensive Back), Attanasio (Most Valuable Defensive Lineman) and Tim Dorsey (Most Valuable Defensive Back) each were recognized after the game. Dorsey led the defense with 12 tackles. Junior defensive end Nick Gillan added 1.5 sacks and made 2.5 tackles that resulted in loss yardage. As a unit they had five sacks. Seven defensive starters could return for next year’s team. The only shoes they, Landesberg, Sullivan and the other juniors on the state championship team will have to fill will be their own.