The Monmouth-Roseville Titans have qualified for the postseason three out of the last four years and for the second year in a row. That’s the first back-to-back appearances for the Titans since the 2007-2008 seasons.
Last year, Monmouth-Roseville drew private school power IC Catholic and took a trip to the Chicago-area on a cold, rainy night. This season, the Titans have a first round date with the (8-1) Stillman Valley Cardinals, another perennial high school football power from the Rockford-area. The Cardinals have won five class 2A or 3A state titles and produced two (14-0) seasons under Hall of Fame coach Mike Lalor. The last title came in 2013. Earlier this season, Lalor won his 200th career game as a head coach.
After starting the season (1-2), Monmouth-Roseville won 4 of their last 6 games to qualify for the 3A tournament, ending the regular season at (5-4). However, both teams are coming off losses in their regular season finale. Stillman Valley was #6 in class 4A in the last AP poll and got beaten by the 10th ranked 4A team, Genoa-Kingston 32-28 for their only loss of the season. Monmouth-Roseville lost to the #3 team in Class 3A, Princeton, 48-0 at home.
Titan head coach Jeremy Adolphson says the start of the playoffs are is always an exciting time for high school football and his team is ready to pull an upset.
Hear Friday night’s game on Sunny 97.7 WMOI with the pregame show at 6:40, kickoff is set for 7:00.
For the entire interview with Adolphson, go to the SPORTS PODCAST section.
