Seismic Showdown Set With Monroe City Visiting Hayti in Class 1 Quarterfinals

The Class 1 state champions of 2017 and ’18 are meeting down in the bootheel for a state quarterfinal match Saturday. 11-1 Monroe City won their first district title since winning their state title in 2017 by shutting out Mark Twain 52-0. While many of the Panthers have experienced the state spotlight through basketball or track and field the last three years, many of them are getting their first taste of the state playoffs on the gridiron. Monroe City coach David Kirby had a discussion with his team about that heading into the matchup against 11-0 Hayti.

Monroe City’s offense manufactured nearly 500 yards in the first half of the district championship game last week. Meanwhile, Hayti is back in the state playoffs for the first time since their 2018 state title. The Indians defeated Scott City 48-15 in their district title game last week. They are led by senior quarterback Tray’von Thomas who has accounted for over 3,400 all-purpose yards this season. Hayti coach Dominique Robinson says offensive success against Monroe City will come down to execution.

The potent Indian offense averages 58 points per game, and 455 yards of offense. Kirby says slowing Hayti’s offense down starts with finding a way to slow down Thomas.

Monroe City’s offense comes into the contest averaging 45 points per game and have outscored opponents in the postseason 168-16. Robinson discusses what sticks-out about the Monroe City offense.

The winner will take on the Fayette-Marceline winner in the Class 1 semifinals next weekend. Saturday’s pregame coverage on Glory 97.3 and centralmoinfo.com begins at 12:40pm. Scott Lunte and Colin Schowe have the call.