New running back stars in Monroe’s victory over Meadowdale

EDMONDS — Isaiah Lewis knew his opportunity would come. He patiently stood pat as he watched graduated star running back JJ Jerome carve up Wesco defenses a year ago.

Lewis converted from wide receiver in the offseason, didn’t miss a training day all summer, and when his chance to play a lead role in the Monroe football team’s offense finally came Friday night against Meadowdale, the senior ran with it.

“It means a lot to me,” Lewis said after his team’s 62-21 win at Edmonds Stadium, “because I feel like I am one of the better players in the state, and I feel like just because I haven’t had the opportunities, people were doubting me left and right. With this team, I feel like I can really make my mark and put Monroe on the map. And it’s not just me. It’s for everyone around here. We want to see some wins. We want to go places, and it’s just a credit to my team.”

Surely, few will be doubting Lewis after the way he played Friday. He ran for 283 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries. He had scores of 1, 4, 6 and 62 yards and also returned an interception 65 yards for a score.

“He is a special kid,” Monroe coach Michael Bumpus said. “Going into this year we had no idea who our running back was going to be, and he kind of stepped up and said, ‘Coach, I want to give it a shot.’ Within a week or two, we knew he was going to be.”

Lewis wasn’t the only offensive playmaker to emerge for the Bearcats on Friday. Sophomore wideout Efton Chism III also impressed, catching seven passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns, which came from new quarterback Jaedyn Prewitt.

Prewitt completed 18-of-31 passes for 222 yards, with three touchdowns with two interceptions.

Monroe and Meadowdale were coming off history-making seasons. The Bearcats reached the state playoffs for the first time in 25 years in 2016, and the Mavericks reached the state semifinals for the first time in program history.

But is was the Bearcats who dominated Friday, largely in part to a dynamic offense and a defense that generated six turnovers.

After an opening drive flamed out, Monroe quickly got on the board with a six-play, 44-yard scoring drive to take a 7-0 lead with 3 minutes, 36 seconds to play in the first quarter. Lewis capped the drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown.

After the second of three consecutive Meadowdale three-and-outs to start the game, Lewis again finished off a Bearcats drive with a rushing score. This time Lewis powered across the goal line from 6 yards out, putting the Bearcats in front 14-0 with 10:34 to play in the second quarter.

Chism III gave Monroe a 21-0 lead on the Bearcats’ first play of their third drive. Prewitt found Chism III short over the middle, and the receiver did the rest of the work, sprinting for a 52-yard touchdown that gave the Bearcats a commanding 21-0 advantage.

The rout seemed to be on, but Meadowdale finally found some offensive rhythm.

Sophomore quarterback Hunter Moen, who finished 10-of-19 for 165 yards and three touchdown tosses with two interceptions, began connecting with some of receivers. A 4-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Foltz with 5:54 to play in the second quarter trimmed Monroe’s lead to 21-7.

Following a Prewitt interception, the Mavericks went 80 yards in just two plays to cut the Bearcats’ lead to 21-14. Meadowdale speed back Jashon Butler, who finished with a team-high 82 rush yards on 17 carries, broke free for a 49-yard gain, and Moen followed with a 31-yard touchdown pass to Austin Goulet with 3:11 left before halftime.

But Monroe’s offense, which operated at breakneck speed, scored twice before the half ended.

Lewis polished off a 12-play, 80-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run — his third of the game — and a critical lost fumble on a botched snap deep in the Mavericks own territory led to a Blake Rybar 2-yard touchdown with 3 seconds to play that put the Bearcats in front 35-14.

Another lost Meadowdale fumble deep in its own territory, this time coming on a shotgun snap, led to a Monroe touchdown. Kainalu Batongbacal was the recepient, catching a 17-yard touchdown from Prewitt to give the Bearcats a 42-14 lead.

More Mavericks turnovers led to more Bearcats points.

“That’s demoralizing for a team,” Bumpus said. “When you give us a short field, we are pretty dangerous.”

Lewis picked off a Moen pass and raced for a 65-yard touchdown, extending the Bearcats’ lead to 49-14 with 4:49 to play in the third quarter, and following a fourth lost fumble, Chism III caught his second touchdown — a 26-yarder over the middle from Prewitt. The score put Monroe in front 55-14 and prompted the running clock.

Foltz caught a 50-yard touchdown pass to trim Monroe’s lead to 55-21 before Lewis punctuated his night with a 62-yard score with 2:13 to play in the fourth quarter.

Click here for box score

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Prep roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

Snohomish, Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

Shorewood senior Bridget Cox (11) elevates to get a shot over Everett senior Aimelie Hovde-Girard (21) in Shorewood's 41-30 win in the opening round of the District 1 3A Girls Tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorewood girls basketball avoids Everett upset bid in 41-30 win

Glasser’s ‘dagger’ 3 caps second-half run, pushes No. 5 Stormrays to 3A District 1 Quarterfinals

Prep roundup for Wednesday, Feb. 12

Terrace, Monroe girls advance in district hoops tournament.

Kimberly Beard, a Mukilteo resident who attends King's High School, prepares to release a throw during the 20-pound weight competition at George Fox University in Newberg, Ore. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Donna Beard)
Mukilteo’s Kimberly Beard wins throwing event

The King’s High School junior won the 20-pound weight throw at a George Fox indoor meet.

Seahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas (72), who will be coached by his third offensive line coach in three seasons in 2025, lines up in Seattle's 20-17 win over San Francisco at Levi's Stadium on Nov. 17, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire shows they’re serious about offensive line

New offensive coordinator bringing in veterans with hopes of improving front.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 2-8

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 2-8. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Stanwood High School football coach Jeff Scoma talks with the referees during the 3A quarterfinal game against Odea on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former Stanwood football coach lands new Gig

Jeff Scoma, who resigned midseason in 2024, will coach Gig Harbor H.S. next season.

Mariners among biggest offseason losers

Juan Soto, LA Dodgers are among winners as baseball begins.

Prep basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 11

Tulalip Heritage finishes second in district tournament.

Vancouver Giants goalie Burke Hood makes a play for the puck against the Everett Silvertips, who lost 6-2 to the Giants at Langley Events Centre on Saturday, one day after clinching a WHL playoff spot. (Rob Wilton, Giants/Special to Black Press Media).
Tips Week in Review: Everett first in WHL to clinch playoff berth

The Silvertips defeated Kamloops on Friday to secure spot, but lost to Vancouver on Saturday

Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak (left) and head coach Mike Macdonald (right) spoke to the media at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025 (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
New Seahawks OC excited to coach Geno Smith

Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has “a lot of respect” for Seahawks QB.

Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett (16) runs with after a catch against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Tyler Lockett’s future with Seahawks remains unclear

Seattle coach Mike Macdonald noncommittal 1 month before a possible decision point.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.