There are a lot of angry Hornets in the hive at Monroe. The team lost their last six games of 2024 after a promising 4-1 start. This group of seniors is out to return the sting and avenge those late season losses from a year ago.
Outside of some questions in the backfield, Monroe returns an experienced nucleus with eight starters back on offense and nine on defense. The defense has allowed 36.2 points per game over the current six game losing streak. This unit is too good to let that trend continue. They must step up and set the tone if the Hornets are to make it back to the playoffs for a fourth time in the last five years.
On offense, the Hornets must fill voids at quarterback, running back and receiver. The new groups of skill players should see their confidence rise over the first few games this fall behind a veteran offensive line that is more than capable of paving the way for them to be successful.
Getting back to the postseason isn’t going to be easy in a loaded Region 8 that will have four fewer teams make it to Week 11 than it did in 2024. If this season’s playoff format would have been in place last fall, Monroe would have been on the outside looking in.
For Monroe the road to success isn’t rocket science, closing out games late in the season correlates to the difference between a good or a great campaign (in 2025). The Hornets are 0-7 in October battles over the last two years, four of those losses have been to teams that have finished with losing records.
Division II, Region 8
2024 RECORD: 4-7, 0-4 SWBL Southwestern
HEAD COACH: Mark Mueller, 4-7 at Monroe, one year; 116-53 overall, 15 years)
HONOR ROLL
Austin Haig, Sr, OL – The anchor and leader of the offensive line. Haig was named OPSMA Division II Second Team All-Southwest District as a junior.
Gavin Stromberg, Sr, DL – A high motor guy who is the heart-and-soul of the d-line. A Second Team All-SWBL Southwestern selection in 2024, Stromberg has 77 tackles, 4.0 sacks, 7.0 tackles for losses and one forced fumble in his career.
Bryant Lee, Sr, WR/DB – Lee emerged as a secondary stalwart in 2024. He was in on 42 tackles to earn Honorable Mention All-SWBL Southwestern accolades. Lee will play a big role in the passing game after catching 13 balls for 117 yards a year ago.
OTHER RETURNEES
Caleb Cripe, Sr, LB – Comes from a great football family who are leaders. Cripe tallied 30 tackles in his first year as a starter last fall.
Nehemiah Simms, Sr, LB – Had a breakout junior campaign and will be a force in the SWBL this fall. Simms finished last season with 67 tackles.
Dylan Miller, Sr, RB/DB – Will play a big role on both sides of the ball. Miller has shown all-district potential as a defensive back the past two years with 90 tackles, a sack, 3.5 tackles for losses and an interception in that span. Last fall, over the first five contests, Miller ran for 217 yards (43.4 yards/game) and a pair of touchdowns.
Braden Wagner, Sr, OL/DL – Back for a second year as a starter, look for Wagner to be even more productive as a senior. He tallied 39 tackles and 2.0 sacks in 2024.
Ridley Brown, Sr, LB – When healthy Brown has made his presence felt. In seven games over the past two seasons he has 47 tackles.
Collin Lawson, Sr, OL – A returning starter and a hidden gem in terms to what he means to this team on and off the field.
Justin Dilworth, Sr, OT – Teams with Haig and Lawson to bring stability and experience to the o-line.
NEWCOMERS
Maddox Monroe, Sr, QB – The Hornets will turn the reigns over to Monroe at quarterback.
Aiden Farthing, Jr, DL – The future is bright for Farthing who is primed to make his presence felt on Friday nights.
PLAYOFF HISTORY
(13 appearances, 13-13) – 2024, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2014, 2009, 2007 (Regional Champion), 2006, 2005 (Regional Champion), 1994, 1993, 1986, 1983 (Regional Champion)
2025 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/22/25 – GOSHEN (2-8 in 2024) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/29/25 – at Fenwick (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/05/25 – at Wyoming (11-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/12/25 – PONITZ (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/19/25 – CLINTON-MASSIE (9-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/26/25 – FRANKLIN (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/03/25 – EATON (8-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/10/25 – at Bellbrook (12-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/17/25 – ROSS (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/24/25 – at Edgewood (3-8) – 7:00 PM
