By: Ken Weingartner
Thanks to another group of players stepping up, the Monroe Township High football team took another step forward.
The Falcons ended the season with a loss to Hamilton in the first round of the state sectional playoffs, but that did little to diminish the team’s accomplishments in a year that was the most successful in the program’s history. Monroe won a school-record eight games, claimed a share of its first title (in the Greater Middlesex Conference Blue Division) and reached the postseason for the first time.
Of course, Monroe’s efforts came on the heels of a 2005 season that had been the best year in history, with seven victories and nearly a playoff berth.
"The seniors took it to the next level; they did their job and raised the bar one more time," Falcons third-year coach Pat Dowling said. "These seniors are really my first class and most of them played all 30 games for us over my three years here. I couldn’t be more proud of them. They put a stamp on what we’re trying to do here."
Senior quarterback Ryan Cushman, a three-year starter, set school records with 1,544 passing yards and 17 touchdowns this season. He completed nearly 60 percent of his passes and was intercepted only four times as Monroe went 8-2.
"I would have wanted it to end better, but when you’re building a program it’s one step at a time," Cushman said. "This year was a stepping stone, just like last year. We feel we’re the origin of an up-and-raising program. I’m really proud of that. I’m not 100 percent satisfied, but I’m happy with what we’ve done for the program.
"Our team goal this year was to make it to states. We made it there, and that will push every team after us to get to the postseason. I don’t feel we were a failure at all."
Monroe’s other top offensive players statistically emerged from the shadows as the Falcons battled a rash of injuries to start the campaign. Junior running back Ryan Meseroll stepped up to rush for 1,136 yards and eight touchdowns while senior receiver T.J. Denehy hauled in 38 passes for 663 yards and another eight scores.
"I think the biggest thing this year was how we were able to overcome the injuries," Dowling said. "When those injuries started happening, I started thinking that maybe this wasn’t meant to be. But those kids lived that cliché about being prepared because you never know when your number will be called. We really didn’t skip a beat."
In addition to Denehy’s output, the Falcons had five other players with 100 or more receiving yards Kyle Gigliello, Christian Hanley, David Gregor, Meseroll and Justin Doslik. Mark Gulick added more than 300 yards rushing to help fuel Monroe’s potent and balanced attack.
The performance by the varsity certainly points to a program on the rise, going from 1-9 in Dowling’s first season to 15-5 the last two.
"Everything is a learning experience," Cushman said. "If you put your mind to something, if you keep working, you can achieve as much as you want. And if you have a bunch of guys around you who dedicate themselves to the same thing, you’re in good shape."
Furthermore, consider this: The current junior class was 7-2 as freshmen, making them 22-7 during their careers. Plus, this season’s junior varsity team enjoyed a 5-2 campaign.
"I think that’s the real sign the program is well rounded now," Dowling said. "Our juniors are a pretty strong class and they’re used to winning. I think that’s big."
It also should help soften the blow of losing 14 seniors to graduation. The Falcons will say goodbye to Cushman, Denehy, Gulick, Gregor, Mike Sullivan, Ed Niedzielski, Matt Dombrowski, Andrew Cocuzza, Kyle Bocchieri, Gabe Lawrence, Matt Troncone, Joe Snow, Shayne Nelson, and Stephen Martynuk.
"For me, the greatest pleasure was watching the seniors grow as individuals and grow as a group from the time when I first got here," Dowling said. "They got what was owed to them."
Next year’s seniors will have large shoes to fill.
"We’re looking forward to it," Dowling said. "It’s true, losing in the playoffs makes you want to chomp at the bit; you want to get back out there and fix it. I’m sure that group will want to redeem themselves and get back there. That’s how programs get built; each class wants to outdo the class before them."
It will be another chance to step up; another chance to step forward.

