Story by Prairie Communications Intern, Kadin Rogers.
The Monmouth-Roseville Titans football team was back in action on Friday night for their final regular season game at Coach Dobry field. A busy night at M-R saw homecoming festivities, senior night, and a big game all in one, as the Titans hosted the undefeated state ranked Tigers of Princeton. Monmouth-Roseville unfortunately could not give the Tigers their only loss of the season, losing by a score of 48-0.
Princeton would open the game with the ball, and would go down the field quickly, and punch the ball in from 11 yards out on a run from senior running back Connor Hickey. The Titans first offensive drive would end in a turnover deep in their own territory, that Princeton would capitalize on, scoring on a touchdown run from Augie Christiansen. M-R would start near midfield on their next drive, but the offense would stall, forcing a punt. After a great punt return that put them into Monmouth-Roseville territory, the Tigers offense drove down to the goal line, and finally scored on a QB sneak from senior quarterback Teegan Davis. As the first quarter clock hit zero, the Tigers already led 21-0.
The beginning of the second quarter featured two more scores from the Princeton offense. The first coming on a second touchdown run from Christiansen and the second coming on the second touchdown run from Hickey. The Titans and Tigers exchanged two final drives in the last 3 minutes, but were unable to score, bringing the score to 35-0 at the first half break.
The Titans opened the second half with the ball looking to get on the scoreboard, but after a 3 and out, Princeton blocked the ensuing punt to set their offense up inside M-R territory. The Tigers would once again take advantage of this great field position, scoring on the 3rd touchdown run from Augie Christiansen. Princeton’s defense would force the second turnover of the game on the next Titans drive, but could not get a score off of it, and the 3rd quarter would end 42-0 in favor of Princeton. The final quarter of play would go quickly with a running clock, Princeton would add another score to their total on a goal line touchdown run from freshman Casey Etheridge, to bring the final score to 48-0 after a missed extra point.
For the Tigers, Teegan Davis completed 6 of his 9 passes for 85 yards. Augie Christiansen led in the way in rushing with 111 yards and 3 touchdowns on 10 attempts. Logan LaPorte led in receiving for Princeton, with 64 yards on 4 catches. For the Titans, Silas Braun completed 2 of his 6 passes for 26 yards and an interception. C.J Johnson led in both rushing and receiving with 26 yards in both categories. The next stop for the Titans is the IHSA playoffs, they who will find out who and where they will play on tomorrow night when all matchups are announced. This is the first back to back playoff appearance from Monmouth-Roseville since 2007-2008.
For the replay of the WMOI radio broadcast of the game, click HERE
