MONROE, Ga. -- Monroe Area rallied in the second half to down Shaw 21-14 in the opening round of the Class AAAA state playoffs.

The game was a close one, and both teams scored only once in the first half.

Shaw took the ball first, but an interception by Monroe's Keon Camp stopped the drive. Monroe struck first after a 39-yard, 9-play drive. Hurricane quarterback Stanton Truitt hit receiver Michael Gallup for the 1-yard touchdown pass.

One the ensuing Shaw drive, the Raiders just couldn't get anything going and were forced to punt. However, two plays later the Raiders recovered a Monroe fumble. The Raiders capitalized on the turnover and four plays later quarterback Chandler Whittlesey found receiver Joe Purter for a 40-yard strike.

Neither team scored again until late in the third quarter. Shaw too its first and only lead of the game when running back Johntez Webb found daylight from 5 yards out with 1:15 left in the third.

The Hurricanes answered right back with a 8-yard run of their own from Kwan Brooks with nine seconds left in the third, but Cody Browns PAT attempt was blocked leaving the Raiders up by one.

Both teams traded punts and turnovers throughout the fourth quarter until the Hurricanes made one final stop on fourth-and-inches to get the ball back at their 41.

Monroe went on one final seven-play 59-yard drive capped off by a 33-yard run by Truitt.

Shaw got one last chance to score but several misques left the Raiders deep in their own territory. On a Hail Mary attempt Whittlesey was intercepted by Monroe's Gallup, thus sealing the victory for the Hurricanes.

Shaw ends their season at 6-5.

Friday at MonroeShaw 7 0 7 0--14

Monroe 7 0 6 8--21First Quarter

MAHS: Gallup 1 yard reception from Truitt (Brown Kick), 3:50

SHS: Purter 40 yard reception from Whittlesey (Eaton kick), 1:13

Third Quarter

SHS: Webb 5 yard run (Eaton Kick), 1:15

MAHS: Brooks 8 yard run (Kick Blocked), 0:09

Fourth Quarter

MAHS: Truitt 33 yard run (Truitt run 2 point Conversion), 1:47