Simmons’ pick-six sparks Westover to 42-21 win over Monroe

ALBANY — Under the bright lights at Hugh Mills Stadium, with old teammates now on opposite sidelines, the story almost told itself — one quarterback facing his past, another finding his future, and a single defensive play that flipped everything.

When the final horn sounded Friday night, Westover walked away with bragging rights and a 42-21 victory over Monroe before a large Albany crowd.

It was a night of full-circle storylines. Monroe quarterback Keyon Thomas, who spent three years leading Westover’s offense, faced off against Gabriel Hopper, the sophomore now carrying the Patriots’ future. Thomas had once been the guy. Hopper is now the next in line.

And both made their mark.

Thomas looked poised and polished, as you’d expect from a senior who’s been through battles on this field before. Hopper, just a sophomore, played with the wide-eyed composure of someone still discovering how good he can be. One represented what Westover once had; the other, what it might become.

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Familiar faces, new chapters

Thomas struck first. After Talaun Jones’ long opening kickoff return set Monroe up at the Westover 30, Thomas hit his brother Calvin for a short screen, then found Jaciune King on the edge. King cut inside and spun through tacklers for a 7-0 lead just minutes into the game.

Westover answered just as quickly. Senior running back Christian Nix took a handoff, broke two tackles behind the line, and sprinted 45 yards down the right sideline to tie it 7-7.

Thomas and his old teammates traded blows in the second quarter. He connected with Jordyn Shorter — another former Patriot — for a 50-yard touchdown strike to give Monroe a 14-7 lead. But on fourth-and-seven of the next drive, Hopper found Kell Simmons over the middle for a clutch first down at the 1. Hopper punched it in himself on the next play to even the score.

Moments later, a high snap over Thomas’ head gave Westover the ball at the Monroe 1-yard line. Hopper scored again, giving Westover its first lead at 20-14 going into halftime.

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Simmons swings the game

Midway through the third quarter, Monroe appeared ready to retake control. Thomas ripped off a 47-yard run to the Westover 24, but the Patriots’ defense held firm. Facing fourth-and-10, Thomas dropped back and fired toward the end zone — but Simmons was waiting.

Simmons read it all the way. One step, one grab — and then nothing but green turf ahead. Ninety yards later, the Patriots’ sideline was in chaos, and Monroe’s comeback hopes were gone with him.

That pick-six and the ensuing two-point conversion made it 28-14, and suddenly Westover’s confidence swelled.

“That play changed everything,” said Westover head coach Corey Joyner. “We gave up two touchdowns by not playing smart. I’m happy about our performance, but not happy with the penalties. Still, it was a great job by our players and coaches.”

Hopper kept the momentum rolling, scoring again early in the fourth quarter after another bad Monroe snap pinned the Tornadoes deep. Monroe fought back with a Thomas touchdown run to make it 35-21, but Westover added one more late score to seal it

The win marked Hopper’s best performance yet in his brief tenure as starting quarterback — a steady evolution after replacing Jayshaun Bobb, who was lost to an ACL injury.

“He’s improved every day,” Joyner said. “Coach Jaylen Joyner and Cameron Hopkins have done a great job mentoring Gabe, and it’s showing.”

Monroe head coach Lacey Herring praised his team’s effort despite the miscues. “All of our guys played their hearts out,” Herring said. “We gave them three easy scores — two with bad snaps and then the pick-six. Simple mistakes hurt us most tonight.”

With the win, Westover improved to 6-2 and will stay at Hugh Mills next Friday to face its other crosstown rival, Dougherty High, coached by Corey Joyner’s younger brother Uyl Joyner. Monroe (2-6) travels to face Bainbridge.