Monroe Defense Makes Sure PAT Stands Up, 21-20

George Garcia scored on a 79-yard fourth-quarter run, Liz Nemeth added the conversion kick and Monroe High held on to defeat Crenshaw, 21-20, Friday night in a first-round City Section 3-A Division playoff game at Monroe.

Garcia’s touchdown came with 9:12 left in the game. Garcia’s other six carries in the game netted three yards.

But he popped the long one when it counted, with 9 minutes 12 seconds left in the game.

Crenshaw (4-6-1) had taken a 20-14 lead after Tye Smith scored on a 79-yard run.

Smith rushed for 145 yards in 12 carries, but the lead he gave the Cougars lasted only 19 seconds.

Then Garcia took off. “I saw daylight and I ran for it,” he said.

Monroe’s Vinny Walker rushed for 136 yards in 18 carries and had touchdown runs of 11 and four yards.

Walker also added a two-point conversion that tied the score, 14-14, late in the third quarter.

Crenshaw drove from its nine-yard line to the Monroe 47 with 1:20 remaining, but was forced to turn to the ball over on downs.

Monroe (8-3) held the Cougars to 11 passing yards.