New Hanover QB Jacob Monroe leads Wildcats to best win of 2024 in thumping of Laney

Jacob Monroe has been waiting for his breakout season.

After spending years in backup roles, the New Hanover quarterback has earned his spot as the Wildcats' No. 1 option this fall, leading the team to a 5-2 record while throwing 14 touchdowns.

Friday night's win over crosstown opponent Laney, however, felt different.

"I really wanted this one," Monroe said after the game. "To do it at home, it just felt great to get it done."

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Monroe threw two touchdowns and rushed for one more as the Wildcats earned their most definitive victory of 2024 in a 38-10 thumping of Laney in Legion Stadium in Week 9.

The QB was one part of New Hanover's three-headed quarterback attack a season ago, but threw just 14 passes in eight appearances. He saw the most playing time all season in the Wildcat's 35-0 loss to the Bucs just over a year ago, which made Friday night's victory all the more sweet.

"Our coaches really took at us to play with some joy," Monroe said. "We've had two tough losses, but just coming together as a team and figuring it out is a big part of it."

Monroe turned on jets late in the third quarter and outraced everyone on the field as he went 75 yards for a score. The senior quarterback says even he was a bit surprised by his speed on the play.

"I didn't really realize that I was running that fast," Monroe said with a chuckle. "I was just trying not to get chased down."

Monroe has found his groove as he's thrown five touchdowns and rushed for two more in the last two weeks. It has come when the Wildcats, who have had their fair share of ups and downs this season, have needed it the most.

"He's having a great year, and he's sort of the catalyst of our offense," New Hanover coach Dylan Dimock said of Monroe.

Both New Hanover's losses this fall have come in crushing fashion, something Dimock says has fueled his squad to keep improving.

"You can either have faith or not," he said. "There were challenges and a lack of evidence here and there, but (our players) kept the faith."

The win is New Hanover's 17th over Laney since 2004. The Wildcats hold a 14-2 advantage in the series since 2009.

"We had some dark times, we've had some adversity," Dimock said of the 2024 season. "They kept the faith, and you're starting to see the fruit of that a little bit."

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: New Hanover QB Jacob Monroe leads Wildcats to best win of 2024 in thumping of Laney