Monroe thrives under first-year coach

Published 6:26 pm Thursday, October 2, 2014

MONROE — When first-year head coach Brett Jay took over Monroe High School’s football team this past March, he made his expectations very clear.

The Bearcats were going to be a tough team that brought it every single play.

So far, so good.

Monroe is off to a 4-0 start and looks to remain undefeated against a tough Kamiak team Friday in a key Wesco 4A matchup.

“It’s just an expectation we have: to go as hard as we can and as fast as we can every single play,” said Jay, who coached at River View in Kennewick before replacing Dick Abrams at Monroe. “We’re trying to get our best 11 out there and play as fast as we can. … I know, it sounds cliché, but it’s just packing a lunch, going to work and focusing on us getting better every single rep.”

Monroe’s success started with a thrilling 30-28 victory over Oak Harbor on Sept. 5. The Bearcats followed that up with big wins against Stanwood, Snohomish and Jackson, which Monroe scored 35 points against in the first quarter en route to a 62-20 win.

“Everything’s been totally different. The way he coaches, it’s so easy for us to learn how to get things done,” senior lineman Alex Vidican said. “We’re improving every week. We put up 30 points the first game and every single week we’ve continued to get more points than the last game.”

Monroe already has equaled its victory total from a season ago and is looking to do big things in a tough Wesco 4A league this season. Several players have stepped up for the Bearcats this season including senior captains McKinley Braa, Andrew Zimmerman and Vidican.

“Our three senior captains are huge,” Jay said. “Our quarterback, Andrew Zimmerman, is doing a great job running our offense. He’s a very smart young man who makes the right reads. … Alex Vidican, playing both (offensive and defensive lines), has had incredible leadership. He just anchors us up front. We thrive off his energy and his leadership.

“McKinley Braa has bounced around from position to position but he’s a hard-working kid. He got an interception last week and is just another great leader for us.”

The Bearcats also have seen the emergence of sophomore running back JJ Jerome, who has 587 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns on 72 carries this season.

“JJ Jerome is a smooth running back,” Jay said. “He has great vision and makes play calling easy sometimes.”

The senior captains make sure the younger players know the importance of every single play.

“We always say, ‘We owe each other everything,’” Braa said. “Usually before we go out on any offensive or defensive drive we yell, ‘We owe each other everything.’ We’re out here like a family. We spend so much time together.”

“Everybody has each others’ backs,” Vidican added. “That’s the motto on our shirts.”

The Bearcats’ work ethic and determination to improve prevent them from being satisfied, even though they are the only remaining unbeaten team in the area.

“I don’t think Monroe’s ever seen this,” said Zimmerman, who has completed 49 of 86 for 828 yards and 11 touchdowns this year. “(Going) 4-0 is exciting for us. We can’t get cocky. We won four games last year. That’s why we’re putting in so much hard work because we want to keep just doing what we’re doing.

“We’re putting in the extra work. The film sessions that we do and the work before and after practice — we’re wanting more out of ourselves. You had a big game last game? Have a bigger game this game.”

Monroe’s next challenge is an unfamiliar opponent. Monroe and Kamiak (2-0 league, 3-1 overall) haven’t played each other since 2011, when the Bearcats won 25-15. Offseason realignment created one Wesco 4A league, bringing Monroe and Kamiak together in the same group teams and setting up many more future showdowns.

“I think every game is absolutely huge,” Jay said. “Every game is vital. I think anybody can beat anybody and you’re kind of seeing that. I know Lake Stevens is a power but it just feels like each week you’ve got to show up and respond.

“I know Kamiak and they’re well-coached. They’ve got a great staff and have some excellent players. It’s going to be a dog fight. We’re going to go over there and go to work.”

Added Zimmerman: “Every game is a big game. This is a huge game. It’s going to be big-time football. It’ll be fun.”