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By Ron Seibel

ALBANY — The difference between a winning season and a year of struggles can sometimes be a close call.

Monroe had some positive things happen at the start of the 2016 season. Shutout wins over Westover and Albany — the Albany win coming in decisive fashion — served as the heart of a 2-1 start.

Five consecutive losses to close the season, however, including a seven-point loss to Dougherty and a one-point loss to Worth County, kept the Tornadoes (2-6, 0-4 GHSA Region 1-3A) out of the postseason.

To be the only team out of a five-team region not to make the playoffs is something no program wants. But the close calls involved have made those returning to the Monroe program wanting to take the steps to avoid the same fate this fall.

Monroe head coach Charles Truitt, right, shares a word with receiver Damenyun Jones during practice Tuesday, Aug. 1. (Staff photo: Ron Seibel)

“I think the kids have a bad taste in their mouths with the way that we finished the season,” Monroe head coach Charles Truitt said. “That’s been our motto all year, being able to finish what we started. The process has been going well. we just hope we can carry it throughout the season.”

Foremost among the returnees are those on the offensive and defensive lines. Three linemen return to the Tornadoes’ 4-4 defensive front that yielded just a hair more than 21 points per contest last year, and three are back on the offensive line.

Included in those returning is 6-foot, 310-pound defensive tackle Warren Breakfield, an All-Albany Herald first team selection who had eight tackles for loss and 58 total tackles, and 6-foot-3, 295-pound two-way tackle Courtney Perkins, a second-team pick. Also back is Lavorick Welch, a 5-foot-10, 285-pound defensive tackle who also was a second-team pick.

“We’re looking to have a good fight this year,” Welch said. “Last year, we won the games we thought we would blow the other team out, and the next week we thought we would do the same thing, but they just gave a good fight and won up front.

“We’ve just got to fight, stay focused and come out and play. We’re going to have some good teams that are going to try to put us to work. We’ve got to be ready.”

The Monroe offense will need to replace play-making receiver Ulysses Williams, who caught 63 passes for 796 yards and 11 touchdowns, as well as offensive lineman Eric Seay. Both made the All-Albany Herald first team last season.

Lining up under center will be David Dillard, who split time with Williams at quarterback last year.

“We feel really good about the play of our offensive and defensive lines,” Truitt said. “Good football teams always start with what’s up front, and we feel we have a good nucleus coming back, some guys who have started in that position. We feel that if we hold our own up front, we should have the chance to win some ballgames.”

Truitt is entering his 14th year as Monroe’s head coach. The Tornadoes open the season Aug. 25 at Hugh Mills Stadium against city rival Westover.