Monroe defeats Middletown 28-21 to repeat as Section 9 Class AA champions

The Monroe Crusaders repeat as Section 9 Class AA champions after defeating the Middletown Middie Bears in a 28-21 classic thriller. It marks their second title in three seasons and their consecutive title in 15 seasons.

Middletown's offense had a slow start, going three and out on its opening drive as Monroe's pressuring defense prevented any offensive momentum.

First Quarter

Monroe immediately seized control, blocking Middletown’s opening-drive punt and taking over at the Middie Bears’ 21. Quarterback Ethan Maldonado struck quickly, hitting Shae Michel, who broke two tackles and dove into the end zone for a 7-0 lead.

Middletown struggled to find running lanes against Monroe’s defense. On a key third down, Joseph Royal hit Ryheem Tinsley, but the Crusaders stopped him just short.

An offside call on Monroe gave Middletown a fresh set of downs, only for a holding penalty to push them back. Royal connected with Aiden Barbosa for a first down to midfield, then Tinsley ripped an 18-yard run into Crusader territory.

A flea-flicker attempt drew a Monroe holding penalty, advancing Middletown to the 17. A five-yard loss and a drop by Andy Aristhene led to a Crusaders recovery in the red zone.

Monroe started at its 20 but was pushed back by a holding penalty. Unable to convert, they ended the quarter leading 7-0.

Second Quarter

Maldonado opened the quarter by hitting Braylon Shillingford for a first down, but another Monroe penalty set up first-and-15. Emotions boiled when a Crusader tossed the ball at a Middletown defender, though no flag was thrown. Shillingford ripped off a long run, but another Monroe holding call erased it.

Monroe turned to Nathaniel Coulanges, who powered through defenders for key gains. Maldonado then hit Charlie Theokas on a screen, and Theokas weaved 44 yards for a touchdown to extend the lead to 14-0 with under seven minutes left.

Middletown found life late in the half. A Tinsley catch and Aristhene run set them up at Monroe’s 35. Royal barreled to the 15, then found Aristhene to reach the five. After coming up short on a sneak, Royal fired left to Aristhene for a score, cutting the deficit to 14-7.

A heated kickoff led to a brief scuffle and an injury to Monroe linebacker Liam Hayes. Offsetting unsportsmanlike penalties closed the half with the Crusaders still up 14-7.

Third Quarter

Monroe came out firing. Maldonado zipped a 28-yard strike to Hayes, then juked a Middletown defender for a seven-yard rushing touchdown to make it 21-7.

Middletown responded instantly. Royal hit Aristhene for 68 yards to the Crusaders' four. A facemask penalty on Monroe saved a fumble. After grinding to third-and-inches, sophomore Kervens Paraisy muscled in for his first touchdown of the year, trimming the deficit to 21-14.

The Middie Bears’ defense forced a Monroe three-and-out, then Royal found Anthony Russo to help move them near midfield. A facemask on Monroe and a 20-yard burst from Tinsley pushed Middletown to the Crusaders’ 35. Royal then dropped a perfect pass over a defender to Barbosa for 21 yards.

Stifled on third down, Middletown faced fourth-and-two to start the fourth quarter. Royal hit Barbosa again to set up the tying touchdown, evening the score at 21-21 and swinging momentum fully to the Middie Bears.

Fourth Quarter

Monroe struggled to respond, punting again after Middletown’s defense stuffed a third-down run. But Ronald Chambers intercepted Royal’s pass at midfield, flipping momentum.

A big sack pushed Monroe back, but another facemask advanced them to the 41.

Middletown’s defense kept coming, forcing a loss of six, then linebacker Andre Maragh blew up the line for another stop to force a punt.

After offsetting penalties stalled momentum, Monroe batted down a Royal pass to force another Middletown punt. A pass interference against Middletown gave Monroe new life at the 25 with 3:25 left.

Coulanges powered through multiple defenders for a first down, but back-to-back penalties pushed the Crusaders to the 39. Maldonado answered with a 31-yard strike to Shillingford, then hit him again for the go-ahead touchdown, reclaiming the lead 28-21 with 1:50 remaining.

Middletown had one last chance. Royal’s pass to the limping Aristhene fell incomplete, followed by a penalty that set up third-and-13. Two incompletions later—including a batted fourth-down attempt—turned the ball over on downs. An offside penalty on Middletown sealed their fate as Monroe ran out the clock.

Monroe captured its second straight Section 9 Class AA championship with the 28-21 win. Maldonado earned Offensive MVP honors with 226 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and one rushing score. Middletown senior Leiam Rosario was named Defensive MVP.

The Crusaders will continue to push forward in the Section 1 playoffs, and Middletown will go to play against Colonie in Section 2.

Despite the loss, Middletown’s turnaround was remarkable. After a 1-5 start, they ripped off five straight wins—including a stunning upset over Newburgh Free Academy—to reach the title game. They showed major growth after regular-season losses to both Monroe and NFA, proving they belong in the championship conversation.

Barbosa and Russo graduate, but key returners Aristhene, Tinsley, and Royal position Middletown as a team to watch in 2026. Their season may not have ended with a trophy, but their resilience, improvement, and returning talent offer every reason for optimism.