Story by Prairie Communications intern, Kadin Rogers.
The Monmouth-Roseville Titans were back in action on Friday night, competing in the first round of the IHSA playoffs. The opponent for the Titans, the 8-1 Stillman Valley Cardinals. In a high scoring shootout, M-R jumped out to an early 20-8 lead in the 1st quarter, but could not outlast Stillman, falling by a score of 48-33.
An eventful first quarter would open up with a bang for the Titans, as they received the opening kickoff, which Jerome Jackson took 85 yards all the way to the end-zone to open up the scoring. C.J Johnson would convert the two point conversion, giving M-R the early 8-0 lead. Stillman Valley, sticking with their up tempo run heavy offense, quickly ran down the teeth of the Monmouth-Roseville defense, eventually scoring on a short goal line touchdown run from 2 yards out.
The game continued to produce big plays back and forth from both teams. First the Titans ripped off a 68 yard touchdown run from running back C.J Johnson to get the lead back to 14-8. The Cardinals looked to answer, going all the way inside the Titans 10 yard line, but turned the ball over on a fumble, giving possession back to M-R. Jerome Jackson quickly capitalized on the turnover, taking in his second 80+ yard touchdown of the game, extending the Titans lead to 20-8. Stillman Valley in need of a response, got one in the form of a 90 yard return touchdown to cut into the Titans lead at the end of the first quarter of play.
After a Titans punt, the Cardinals once again marched down the field, and took their first lead of the game on a touchdown run from Porter Needs. A second Titans punt would lead to the Cardinals extending their lead after another touchdown run. Stillman would convert the 2 point attempt, and take a 29-20 lead into the halftime break.
Stillman Valley would receive the second half opening kickoff, and once again added to their unanswered points total, with another long touchdown drive ending in a goal line touchdown score. Down 15 and in need of points, Jackson had another explosive return touchdown, this time from 90 yards out to bring the Titans within 9 after the failed 2 point conversion. The Cardinals drove once again inside the Titans 15 in the following drive, but several penalties on Stillman Valley would force a punt late in the 3rd quarter. Looking to capitalize on the defensive stop, the Titans would drive to midfield, but would be stopped on a 4th and 1 and turned the ball over on downs to end the third quarter.
Stillman Valley’s offense would open the final quarter of play with yet another methodical drive, ending in a goal line score to bring the score to 42-26. The Titans next drive, a pivotal one, would end after the Titans were forced to punt in their own territory. Stillman Valley would take down the final 5 minutes of play, and score with under a minute to go on a goal line score from K.J Shavers. Jerome Jackson would add a final score from 47 yards out to get to the final score of 48-33, in favor of Stillman Valley.
For the Cardinals, Porter Needs led the team in rushing yards with 174, while Owen Zitkus added 69 on the ground. For the Titans, Jerome Jackson led in rushing and scored 2 long return touchdowns from both 80 and 90 yards out. C.J Johnson added 137 yards on the ground as well. Neither team completed a pass in the game on just 3 attempts total. Stats courtesy of Michael Gooding.
The Titans end the season at 5-5. They will look to developing their young talent this off-season, as they will graduate 16 seniors from their roster in May.
For the replay of the WMOI radio broadcast of the game, click HERE
