Story by Kadin Rogers.
The Monmouth-Roseville high school varsity football team got their 2023 campaign started with a Three Rivers Conference crossover home match against the Tigers of Princeton High School. Princeton would open with the early game lead and never look back, as the Tigers gave Monmouth-Roseville a 40-0 loss to open up the season.
The Titans would open up the game with the ball, but an early 3 and out would force Monmouth-Roseville to send the ball to Princeton’s offense. The Tigers would waste no time taking advantage of the defensive stop, scoring quickly on a 42 yard touchdown run from Sophomore Casey Etheridge. After another short drive from the Titans offense, Princeton would drive down the field again, capitalizing on a goal line touchdown run from Etheridge. After the missed point after attempt brought the game to 13-0 Princeton, Monmouth-Roseville would put together their first long drive, bringing the ball into Tigers territory before the end of the first quarter.
To start the second quarter, the Titans offense found their way to the 5 yard line of Princeton, but a fumbled snap on 4th down would give the ball back to the Tigers. On the first play of the ensuing Princeton drive, Casey Etheridge would break off his 3rd touchdown run, this time from 93 yards out to the Tigers up 19-0 (failed 2-pt attempt). M-R and Princeton would swap turnovers on their next drives before the Titans would end the half on a missed field goal, bringing the second half score to 19-0 in favor of the Tigers.
Princeton would open up the second half of play with the ball and stitched together a long 7 minute drive that would ultimately end in a touchdown on Etheridge’s 4th score of the day, this time from 18 yards out. After another defensive stop from Princeton, wide receiver Noah LaPorte took a screen pass the distance to extend the Tigers lead to 32-0. On the final drive of the 3rd quarter, the Titans drove into Tigers territory, as the clock hit zero to send the game to the final period of play.
The Titans would begin the fourth quarter trying to finally get on the scoreboard, however they would end up being stopped on 4th and goal, giving the ball back to Princeton’s offense. Princeton took advantage of the tough defensive stop, driving down the field and scoring on a 20 yard touchdown pass from William Lott to Ace Christiansen. The successful two-point conversion would put Princeton up 40-0 halfway through the 4th quarter. On the final drives of the game, the Titans would miss a field goal attempt and Princeton would kneel out the final seconds, securing the 40-0 win for the Tigers.
For the Tigers, William Lott went 3/6 for 108 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. Casey Etheridge led in rushing with 9 carries for 215 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Noah LaPorte led in receiving with 1 catch for 64 yards and a touchdown. For the Titans, Andy Myers went 4/9 for 51 yards. Payton Thompson would rush for 116 yards on 21 carries, and Leo Mahoney led the receiving with 2 catches for 29 yards. Next up for Monmouth-Roseville is a road match against Bureau Valley next Friday night.
For the full replay of the WMOI broadcast, click HERE
