Story by Prairie Communications Intern, Kadin Rogers.
The Monmouth-Roseville Titans were back in action last night at Coach Dobry Field, facing off against Three Rivers Conference rival Rockridge in a pivotal matchup. The Titans and Rockets were tied for most of the game, but Rockridge would pull away in the final 13 minutes of the game, taking a 28-14 road victory.
The Titans defense would start out on the field, after the team deferred to the second half, and they would make the first big play of the game, setting up the offense in Rockets territory after a C.J Johnson forced fumble and recovery. The offense would take advantage of the takeaway, as Silas Braun found Jerome Jackson in the endzone for a 43 yard touchdown pass to open up the scoring. The M-R defense would stay hot, forcing another takeaway on a Jerome Jackson interception on the next Rockridge drive. The offense could not score after this takeaway however, getting stopped on a 4th down and 8. Rockridge and M-R would exchange punts to end the first quarter, with the Titans leading 6-0.
Rockridge would drive down to the Titans 2 yard line to start the 2nd quarter of play, but the Titans defense once again would step up, stopping the Rockets on 4 straight plays, and preserving the 6-0 lead. After an M-R punt Rockridge would get another chance at the endzone, which they would capitalize on, driving down the field and scoring on a one yard Alex Zarlatanes touchdown run. The Titans would let the clock expire and go to the half trailing 7-6.
The Titans would receive the second half kickoff, but would be forced to punt after a quick 3 and out. Rockridge would drive down the field and extend their lead to 14-6 on another goal line touchdown run, this time from QB Jacob Bayne. M-R would find an immediate answer on special teams, as C.J Johnson would take an 85 yard kickoff return to the endzone, to knot the game up at 14 after a successful 2 point conversion run from Braun. Rockridge and M-R would exchange punts, but Monmouth-Roseville’s punt was mishandled, setting up the Rockets inside the 20. Rockridge would score off the miscue, on a 10 yard touchdown pass from Jacob Bayne to Kameron Bohnsack, to reclaim a 21-14 lead with 19 seconds in the 3rd quarter.
The Titans would open the final quarter of play with the ball, but could not get anything going, and punt the ball back to Rockridge. The Rockets would go up two scores on a Payton Locke 2 yard touchdown run, extending their lead to 28-14, with 6 minutes to go in the game. Monmouth-Roseville’s next drive would stall again after a failed 4th down conversion attempt, and Rockridge would convert several first downs on their next drive, and bleed the clock on their way to a 28-14 Rockets victory.
For the Rockets, Jacob Payne went 5/8 with 64 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Bayne also led in rushing with 138 yards and a touchdown on 17 attempts. Connor Deem would lead in receiving yards with 27 yards on 2 catches. For the Titans, Silas Braun passed for 60 yards and a touchdown on 2 completions, C.J Johnson led in rushing with 87 yards on 10 carries, and Jerome Jackson led in receiving with 43 yards and a score. Stats courtesy of Michael Gooding.
The Titans are back on the road next Friday night, traveling to take on the Orion Chargers.
For the replay of the WMOI radio broadcast, click HERE
