Monroe’s fight falls short in Dothan thriller

DOTHAN, Ala. – Monroe High went toe-to-toe with a giant Thursday night. The Golden Tornadoes didn’t blink, didn’t back down and, for much of the night, looked ready to spring the upset. In the end, though, the 7A-sized bite of Dothan proved just enough.

The Wolves scored the deciding touchdown with less than two minutes remaining, slipping past Monroe 37-34 at Rip Hewes Stadium. It was the kind of game that lingers, the sort that had head coach Lacey Herring replaying decisions as the buses rolled back toward Albany.

“The kids played hard. They fought, and we had moments that could’ve sealed the game,” Herring said. “We had a few drops, one in a critical moment that hurt us. The big thing I told our guys is that it’s never one play or situation that causes you to lose a game. It’s multiple things that happen.”

If you’re looking for a bright spot, start with quarterback Keyon Thomas. The senior transfer from Westover accounted for all five Monroe touchdowns – three through the air and two with his legs. Thomas completed 19 of 33 passes for 242 yards and ran 13 times for 84 more. He hit his brother, Calvin Thomas Jr., for two scores, including the go-ahead 8-yarder midway through the fourth quarter, and found Kohlin Brownlee for a 25-yard strike. He also scored on runs of 30 and five yards, electrifying the visiting sideline.

For a moment, Monroe had control. The Tornadoes led 28-15 in the third quarter after Thomas connected with Brownlee, and an interception by Keyontae Hayes just before halftime had preserved an earlier edge. Wideout Jordyn Shorter finished with four catches for 72 yards, and Ethan Albritton gave Monroe balance in the backfield with 16 carries for 69 yards. But Dothan, with its 7A roster depth, stormed back with two touchdowns before the end of the third to seize a 29-28 advantage.

Still, the Tornadoes wouldn’t go away. Thomas’ late toss to his brother looked like the winning punch – until the Wolves’ final drive stole it back.

“These are the moments you want your kids in early in the season,” Herring said. “Because you know if they’re ever in this situation again, they’ll rise to the occasion. I love the fight they showed going toe-to-toe with a 7A opponent. A lot of teams wouldn’t schedule a team like that.”

Monroe, now 0-2, gets no breather. The Golden Tornadoes will finally play at home Friday night, hosting Northside of Columbus at Hugh Mills Stadium. The hope is that the lessons from Dothan – the drops, the near-misses, the late heartbreak – become the foundation for something sturdier when region play arrives.

“We just have to continue to gel and grow as a team to put us where we want to be,” Herring said. “I love our guys and the passion they show. It’ll all work out.”