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Monroe High School Football Team Surprised with Historic State Championship Rings

Three players from Monroe's State Championship football team wearing rings

(September 4, 2026) Members of the state champion Monroe High School Football team were surprised with championship rings at a ceremony yesterday, honoring their historic 2025 – 2026 season.

Several community partners and parents of the players came together to make the recognition possible.  Glory to Glory Fellowship Church in Greece, Chick-fil-A in Henrietta, and Changing the Community all stepped up to fund the purchase and production of the state championship rings.  

“There are not a lot of times in our city where young men of color are being recognized for doing things right,” said Terrell Cunningham, Monroe’s head football coach.  “These young men came together every day, six days a week; they put in work, put their mind to a goal and were able to accomplish it.”

“It’s a blessing to be able to get this type of hardware by just doing what I love, playing football,” said Alijah Jones, a senior on this year’s team who plays left tackle and defensive end. “We work really hard all year round, so it’s a blessing to see this hard work pay off.”

The Monroe Red Jackets completed an undefeated 12–0 season in December 2025 with a dominant 34–0 victory over Sleepy Hollow at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse. The historic win made Monroe the first team in the Rochester City School District to capture a state football championship. Because the season concluded last winter, several players have since graduated and left for college; parents of those student-athletes attended to accept rings on their children’s behalf alongside returning teammates.

This surprise presentation was a highlight of the school’s annual “Welcome to the ‘Roe” back-to-school event, which featured haircuts and styling from cosmetology students, school tours, and opportunities for families to meet teachers ahead of the new school year.

The Red Jackets launch their 2026 season this Saturday, September 5, at noon at Edison Career and Technology High School. They host their home opener under newly installed lights on Friday, September 11, at 7 p.m. against McQuaid, marking the first night games in the school’s history.