Story by Kadin Rogers.
The Monmouth-Roseville Titans football team was back in action on Friday night, traveling to Manlius to take on the Storm of Bureau Valley. Needing a pivotal win to return to .500 on the season, the Titans would pull out the clutch 21-14 victory to get their first win on the season.
After Monmouth-Roseville differed to the second half, Bureau Valley would open up the contest with the ball. The Storm would get off to a hot start, with the first play of the game being a 54 yard run from Senior Cameron Lemons, before BV later punched the ball in on a goal to go touchdown run from quarterback Bryce Helms. The successful PAT would give the Storm the early 7-0 lead. On the ensuing drive from Monmouth-Roseville’s offense, the Titans would move the ball inside Bureau Valley territory, but a fumble would kill the drive for M-R, giving the ball back to the Storm. The Titans defense would answer the call however, forcing a quick punt from BV’s offense. First quarter play would end with Monmouth-Roseville driving all the way inside Bureau Valley’s 20 yard line.
Bureau Valley’s defense would once again make a play to open up the second quarter, intercepting quarterback Andy Myers pass at the 14 yard line to hold the Titans to 0. The Storm would turn around however and commit their first turnover, as the Monmouth-Roseville defense forced a fumble, giving the ball right back to their offense. M-R would capitalize on this opportunity, driving down the field and scoring their first touchdown of the season, this one coming from Sophomore Andrew Way on the goal-line. Nico Avendano’s successful extra point would tie the contest at 7-7. Bureau Valley’s next offensive drive, aided by a nice kickoff return, went quickly down the field on M-R’s defense. However another fumble, recovered by Andrew Way, would end the promising drive for BV. To end the first half, Monmouth-Roseville would go 3 and out and Bureau Valley would let the clock run out, sending this game to the first half break tied at 7-7.
Monmouth-Roseville would begin the second half on offense, finding themselves quickly inside the Storm 20 yard line. Facing a 4th down however, the Titans go for it attempt would fall incomplete, turning the ball over on downs. After a punt from Bureau Valley, Monmouth-Roseville would drive down the field, punching in their second touchdown of the game on a 13 yard scamper from Payton Thompson, extending the Titans lead to 14-7 (PAT good from Avendano). The 3rd quarter would end as Bureau Valley was approaching MR territory.
In the final quarter of play, BV continued their long sustaining drive deep into Titan territory. From the 26 yard line of Monmouth-Roseville, the Storm scored on a touchdown run from Junior Elijah Endress, to tie the game back up at 14-14. On the ensuing Titans drive, M-R would strike on a 52 yard touchdown pass from Andy Myers to Nico Avendano to take back the lead with just 2 minutes to play. Needing to respond with a touchdown of their own, the Storm would drive deep inside Titans territory, but the Monmouth-Roseville defense would tighten up, forcing BV into a 4th down situation with just 1.7 seconds to go. Bureau Valley’s final pass attempt of the game would be pressured, and fall incomplete, securing the 21-14 win for the Titans.
For the Storm, Bryce Helms completed 5 passes on 9 attempts for 18 yards, adding a touchdown on the ground. Elijah Endress led BV in rushing with 102 yards on 14 attempts and a touchdown, while Eli Attig led the receiving with 13 yards on one catch. For the Titans, Andy Myers went 8 for 14 passing with 142 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Payton Thompson led MR in rushing with 60 yards on 19 carries and a score, while Leo Mahoney led the way in receiving with 68 yards on 4 catches. Nico Avendano would also add the game winning receiving touchdown from 52 yards out. The Titans next game is next Friday night, when they return to Coach Dobry field to take on Erie-Prophetstown.
For the replay of the WMOI radio broadcast of the game, click HERE
