Story by Prairie Communications Intern, Kadin Rogers.
The Monmouth-Roseville Titans were back in action on Friday night, taking on TRAC-West division rival Erie-Prophetstown. Arguably the biggest game of the season up to this point in M-R’s season, showcased the two 4-3 teams battling for the magic number 5th win, and it would be the Titans taking it home with a commanding 28-6 win.
The Titans would open the ball game on offense as E-P would differ to the second half, and they struck early, running all over the Panthers defense and punching finally punching it in with running back C.J Johnson from 7 yards out. A successful two point conversion would bring the score to 8-0. After a quick three and out, the Titans would once again run down the field and score on the second touchdown run from Johnson.
M-R would open the second half with the ball, after forcing a second E-P 3 and out, but were unable to widen their lead after failing to convert a 4th down and 2. The Panthers offense found a bit of momentum on their next drive, making in inside the Titans 30, but several penalties would kill the drive and the Panthers would punt again. Monmouth-Roseville took another long drive into E-P territory, and finished the endzone on a strike from QB Silas Braun to C.J Johnson from 23 yards out. The Panthers would kneel to end the half at a score of 22-0 in favor of the Titans.
Erie-Prophetstown would open the second half with the ball but could not get anything going and punt the ball for the fourth time tonight. Sticking with the theme of the night, the Titans would march down the field through the ground, and score on a 20 yard rushing touchdown from Jerome Jackson to widen the lead to 28-0. The third quarter would end as the Panthers were driving into Monmouth-Roseville territory.
E-P would finally get on the board at the 10 minute mark in the 4th quarter, with a touchdown run from Jace Grunder to cut into the Monmouth-Roseville lead. The Titan offense would continue to run down the clock as they drove inside Panther territory, they were unable to come away with points but would take the clock down to 4 minutes with a 28-6 lead. The Panthers last offensive drive would end inside Titan territory on a failed 4th down conversion, and the Titans would kneel the game out, sealing the 28-6 win.
For Erie-Prophetstown, quarterback went 2/4 passing with 18 yards. Jace Grunder would lead the team in rushing with 98 and a score on 16 attempts. For the Titans, Silas Braun went 2/4 passing for 26 yards and a touchdown. C.J Johnson would lead in rushing and receiving with 147 and 23 yards respectively. Jerome Jackson and Silas Braun would add 146 combined yards on the ground as well. The Titans with the win, move to 5-3, and are all but locked in to the IHSA playoffs. Monmouth-Roseville will host undefeated Princeton in their final regular season game on homecoming week and senior night next week.
For the replay of the WMOI radio broadcast, click HERE
