Piedmont High will try to use its size to overcome Monroe’s speed in an attempt to knock the Redhawks from the ranks of the unbeaten tonight.

Monroe, off to a 4-0 start, is averaging a Union County-best 45.3 points per game.

The best way to keep the Redhawks from scoring is to keep the ball. Piedmont will try to do that by riding workhorse Steven Miller, a senior running back who has scored two touchdowns in each of his team’s last two games — both wins.

Miller had 199 yards on 21 carries in last week’s 42-6 win over Union Academy, and scored twice the week before in a 20-14 win at Robinson.

Monroe’s swarming defense has been tough to penetrate this season. The Redhawks are allowing just 10 points per game and already has 15 sacks.

Piedmont (2-2) will try to keep Monroe honest with a passing game that has eclipsed 100 yards the past two games.

Freshman Sawyer Baucom will get his second straight start at quarterback after moving into the role in the first quarter of the win at Robinson.

Sophomore Ross Rushing, the returning starter at QB, remains sidelined after breaking a bone in his leg during the preseason.

Baucom has filled in admirably, completing 60 percent of his varsity passes for an average of 139.5 yards per game. He’s thrown two touchdown passes against one interception and has also run for a score.

Junior Cameron Leviner, who was pressed into the quarterback duties when Rushing went down, has moved back to receiver and caught three passes for 120 yards last week — including a 39-yard score.

The Redhawks have lots of weapons on their high-powered offense, including the county’s top two scorers in junior receiver Jamison Crowder (nine TDs) and senior tailback Shamiir Hailey (eight TDs).

Monroe junior quarterback Jalen Sowell has thrown a county-high nine touchdown passes to five different receivers.

One of his receivers, senior Isaac Blakney, committed to Duke earlier this week.

Monroe got past Piedmont 28-17 last season in a series that dates back to the 1960s.

The Redhawks have won two in a row, but theey have split their last six meetings.

Three of their last six games have been decided by five points or less.