Monroe, Madison renew border war

Describing the relationship between the William Monroe and Madison football teams as a simple rivalry doesn’t do justice to the circus that surrounds the event.
Whenever the two schools meet, it’s a zoo. On the field and off the field, it’s a shining example of two schools that love to hate each other — just ask either the Greene or Madison County Sherriff’s departments.
“We got their fans over there wearing blue, and we’re over here wearing green,” said Monroe coach Tom Hoffman. “The sky is blue, the grass is green. It’s been like this for almost 40 years know.”
“I can remember this rivalry going back to when I was a small kid. People have always come out of the hills and out of the mountains for this game and they talk about it all year long. If I’m a football player, this is the atmosphere I want to play in.”
This year looks to be no different, as both William Monroe and Madison look improved from last season.
“We’re taking baby steps,” Hoffman said. “We broke the losing streak last year. You look at us now, and you can say, why don’t we try for five wins, and from there, a winning season, the playoffs, a district championship. We’re setting our goals and our expectations higher each year.”
While Monroe and Madison are sworn enemies, both teams look inward when asked to identify their biggest problem.
“Our worst opponent is ourselves,” Hoffman said. “The opponent doesn’t make us throw interceptions. The opponent doesn’t cost us 130 yards in penalties. If we focus on ourselves we should be fine.”
It’s not much different for Stuart Dean and his Madison squad.
“We know the intensity is going to be there,” Dean said. “We just have to keep our focus mentally and not be bothered by whatever else is going on.”
While Monroe comes into the game with the home field advantage, Madison has a couple of things going for them.
“Right now our defense has done a real good job of consistently shutting down the run,” Dean said. “It’s something that we didn’t have last year, so that’s a real strong point for us.”
One thing Madison did have last year, was Logan Terrell.
As a sophomore the Mountaineer running back ran for over 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Monroe last year, and returns for his junior season as a cornerstone piece of the Madison offense.
“With Logan and Devon Boone running the ball we are able to control the ball and move the sticks,” Dean said.
Standing in the way of the Madison backs are a pair of Monroe senior defenders, strong safety Creed Polen and outside linebacker Terrence Johnson.
“You have to contain them and hit them hard,” Johnson said. “You can’t let them run all over you. You can’t act like that’s going to happen.”
Terrell and his team aren’t intimated by taking the field in what will be nothing short of a hostile environment.
“We’re a true family,” Terrell said. “We know that if we go out there and give 100 percent everything will be alright.  It’s Greene and Madison so it’s big, but it’s just another game.”
The game kicks off at William Monroe tonight at 7:30 p.m.