Recap provided by Prairie Communications intern Kadin Rogers
The Monmouth-Roseville Titans opened their season Friday night against the Boilermakers of Kewanee. Last year the Boilermakers defeated the Titans 42-8, but this year the Titans took the victory at Coach Dobry Field by a score of 22-16.
Kewanee would receive the opening kickoff, and wasted no time marching down the field and finished the drive off with a goal line touchdown run from Nate Lockett to take the early 7-0 lead with 7:23 in the first quarter. The Titans first offensive series ended quickly after quarterback Silas Braun’s pass was intercepted by defensive back Landon Mason. Kewanee would be set up inside Titans territory off the turnover but the M-R defense would step with a fourth down sack by C.J Johnson to get the ball right back to the offense. The Titans would end the first quarter by getting inside the Kewanee red zone before the buzzer.
Monmouth-Roseville’s first play of the second quarter was a touchdown pass from Silas Braun to junior Tyler Finnicum, but was called back due to an illegal man downfield penalty, the penalty would prove costly as the Titans would fail to convert a 4th and 9 and turn the ball over on downs. Kewanee was unable to put together a long drive and would eventually punt. M-R looking for a score before the half would take the ball inside the Boilermaker red zone and score on an 8 yard touchdown pass from Braun to Jerome Jackson to score their first touchdown of the season. Kewanee would stop the Titans on the two point conversion and take a 7-6 lead into the halftime break.
The Titans would open the half with the ball and got a good start to their drive after a kick return from C.J Johnson to set M-R up at midfield, two plays later Jerome Jackson would take a 48 yard run to the endzone to put the Titans on top 14-7 with the successful two point conversion from C.J Johnson. Kewanee in need of a score on their next drive to respond, went down the field and scored from 2 yards out on the second rushing touchdown from Nate Lockett to knot the game up at 14-14. Kewanee’s defense would force a punt in the next M-R drive, and drive inside Titan territory but would settle for a 39 yard field goal try. The attempt was blocked giving Monmouth-Roseville another shot to score which they would immediately capitalize on with a 65 yard touchdown run from Jerome Jackson, his 3rd total touchdown of the game, bringing the score to 22-14 with the two point conversion.
Kewanee opened the final quarter of play with the ball inside their own 5 and would move the ball near midfield but ended up punting back to M-R. With tough field position, the Titans failed to get anything going, and would give up a safety on the attempted punt, bringing the score to 22-16 and giving the ball back to the Boilermakers with just 4:10 left in regulation. On the pivotal next drive for Kewanee, a holding penalty and bad snap pushed the Boilermakers back and on a 3rd and 10 quarterback Brady Clark’s pass was intercepted by C.J Johnson to give the ball back to M-R with 2:45 remaining. The Titans would run the clock down, waste Kewanee’s timeouts, and convert a final first down with 20 seconds to go to seal the 22-16 win.
For the Boilermakers, Brady Clark went 7 for 9 passing with 107 yards, he also led in rushing with 57 yards on 18 carries. Ben Taylor was the leading receiver with 51 yards on 2 catches. For the Titans, Silas Braun completed 4 of 9 passing for 59 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. Jerome Jackson would lead the way in rushing with 135 yards and 2 touchdowns on 5 carries. C.J Johnson led in receiving with 46 yards on 4 catches. Stats courtesy of Michael Gooding.
Kewanee starts the season 0-1 and will look to rebound in their home opener against Morrison. Monmouth-Roseville opens the season 1-0 and travels to Spring Valley Hall next Friday night.
For the WMOI radio replay of the game, click HERE
