CHARLOTTE — Donnard Covington scored six touchdowns, Shamiir Hailey rushed for 252 yards and Jamison Crowder scored twice while turning in a standout all-around game to lead unbeaten Monroe past Berry Tech 62-28 Friday.

The game, which lasted well more than three hours, began in stunning fashion with Berry’s Germone Hopper taking the opening kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown. The points were the first allowed by Monroe (10-0, 7-0 Rocky River) since a 62-3 win over North Stanly three weeks ago. It was the first TD the Redhawks allowed since Sept. 18 against Piedmont.

The Redhawks took the punch in stride.

Starting its first drive from Berry’s 45, Monroe struck quickly. Hailey ran for 3 yards, then quarterback Jalen Sowell hit Crowder for 37 yards. Covington scored from the 5 on the next play.



The Redhawks went for two, but the pass failed. In fact, the Redhawks went for two after each of their nine touchdowns. The Redhawks were without their regular kicker (Christian Cruz) and were successful on four two-point conversions.

Coach Johnny Sowell learned Friday morning the team would need to be creative on PATs. “He had a family situation to care of,” Sowell said. “We were going to go for the two points at 9:30.”

Covington gave Monroe the lead 12-6 on a 4-yard run with 7:33 to go in the quarter. He put Monroe ahead for good, 20-13, on another 4-yard run with 15 seconds left in the quarter.

Covington scored on two 6-yard runs in the third quarter and a 10-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter that gave the Redhawks a 46-22 lead. He finished with 133 yards rushing on 14 carries.

“He’s a horse for us,” coach Sowell said. “He’s just now getting into the groove.”

Crowder made it 40-16 in the third quarter when he fielded a punt on a bounce in traffic at the 27, outran the coverage team to the left sideline and raced in for a 73-yard touchdown. Crowder now has six kick/punt returns for scores this season.

In the fourth quarter, Crowder gathered in a 54-yard pass from Jalen Sowell for a touchdown. Crowder also had two of Monroe’s five interceptions and caught a two-point PAT.

“Big-time player,” Coach Sowell said of Crowder. “Big game, big-time player shows up. That’s what he does.”

Monroe will attempt to finish the regular season undefeated when the Redhawks host archrival Forest Hills on Friday.