Meadowbrook wins with a grand plan

SLIDESHOW: Meadowbrook vs. Hermitage

Meadowbrook's Jayson Taylor (6) takes down Hermitage's Justin Gist on a kickoff return during the first half. The second-ranked Monarchs cruised to a 27-14 win.

The secret to an outstanding passing attack is really no secret at all.

First, you need a plan.

Next, you need a quick, fast, clear-thinking quarterback, a retinue of sure-handed receivers, a running back or two who can keep the defense honest and a supporting cast of big guys in the trenches who simply love their jobs.

Finally, you need a coach with a push-the-envelope fearlessness, who isn't afraid to gamble on fourth and long or call the muddle huddle on a point-after attempt and is skilled at exposing weaknesses when the opposing team is rushing everybody but the mascot.

Give the Meadowbrook Monarchs an A on all counts.

Last night with Andre Coble at the controls, they amassed 315 yards of offense, scored through the air and on the ground and defeated a sound Hermitage team 27-14 in their home opener to improve to 2-0 in Troy Taylor's first season as coach.

"I have a ball playing quarterback for Meadowbrook," said Coble, a 5-11, 170-pound senior who completed 13 of 23 passes for 212 yards and a touchdown.

"My backs ran well. My receivers ran their routes crisp and tight. My line blocked well. They made it easy for me to do the things I did tonight."

Meadowbrook, No. 2 in the T-D Top 10 Poll, capitalized on a first-period interception by Leon Austin, one of four takeaways, and went 35 yards in six plays, the last a 6-yard run by Mico Phillips.

The extra point by Anthony Domowicz put them up 7-0.

No. 4 Hermitage (1-1) answered at 6:36 of the second when quarterback Brendan Riddick skirted right end from 3 yards out to end a 12-play, 62-yard series and John Stiebel converted his point-after attempt.

A 1-yard sneak by Coble at 4:05 of the second period sent the Monarchs into the break up 13-7, but they returned with a vengeance and controlled the game the rest of the way.

"We tried to take what the defense was giving," said Taylor. "It they're giving you the run, throw the ball. If they take away the pass, try to run it."

On a third-and-9 early in the third period, Akil Dorsey hauled in a Coble pass high above his head and sprinted home for a 50-yard touchdown to put Taylors' guys up 19-7.

"I was the slotback," Dorsey said. "Ran a little wheel route.

"Went hard. Caught it in my hands. No body catch. Don't like that."

Midway through the fourth, Dorsey, spelling Phillips at running back, broke a 60-yard TD run, and Coble's 2-point conversion put Meadowbrook ahead 27-7.

"I shot out through the line," continued Dorsey, a 5-9, 175-pound junior. "Excellent blocking. I used good vision, saw the hole, made a nice little cutback. At the sideline, just juiced it. That was it."

The Panthers continued to battle and scored one last time on a 6-yard Riddick-to-Anthony Vieng connection 4:01 from the end.

"Hermitage is a real well-coached team," said Coble.

"They had different schemes, crossing linebackers, sending different stunts.

"We just came to play tonight."

Hermitage ------------------------- 0 7 0 7 -- 14
Meadowbrook ------------------------- 7 6 6 8 -- 27

M -- Phillips 6 run (Domoicz kick)

H -- Riddick 3 run (Steibel kick)

M -- Coble 1 run (kick failed)

M -- Dorsey 50 pass from Coble (run failed)

M -- Dorsey 60 run (Coble run)

H -- Vieng 6 pass from Riddick (Stiebel kick)

RUSHING

Hermitage : Riddick 24 carries 76 yards, Gordon 10-19, Britt 1-5. Meadowbrook : Dorsey 3-62, Coble 13-43, Phillips 13-17.
PASSING

Hermitage : Riddick 15 completions 27 attempts 172 yards 2 interceptions. Meadowbrook : Coble 13-23-212-0.
RECEIVING

Hermitage : Yurchak 6 receptions 81 yards, Vieng 3-39, Freeman 4-38, Britt 1-10, Gordon 1-4. Meadow brook : Dorsey 5-111, Lloyd 2-40, Thomas 3-39, Phillips 2-17, Wright 1-5.