Coach Dobry Field once again played host to a huge high school football game this past Friday night, as the undefeated state ranked Monmouth-Roseville Titans welcomed in longtime rival Rockridge on senior night in a battle of Three Rivers Conference heavyweights.
It would be the Rockets taking possession first, and they acted quickly, as Jacob Freyermuth’s early 60 yard run set up a 20 yard passing touchdown from Cullen Schwigen to Owen Steele to give Rockridge an early 7-0 lead. The Titans offense responded in kind after their drive was extended by a fourth down conversion from Andy Myers, Myers would find Nick Huston for a 44 yard touchdown strike of his own to cut the Rockets lead to 7-6 (missed PAT). Rockridge’s second drive would be more methodical than the first, moving inside the Titans red zone in small chunks, however the Monmouth-Roseville defense made a big stand forcing a turnover on downs inside their own 15. The opening quarter would hit zero after the Titans punted following a three and out.
Beginning the second quarter with the ball, Rockridge kept their drive going on two big fourth down conversions, ultimately leading to another passing touchdown from Schwigen, this time to Chase Wheatley from 7 yards out to add on to the Rockets lead. Elijah Noel’s long kickoff return gave the Titans incredible field position, however a first and goal from the seven, would turn into a fourth down interception as the Rockridge defense stands tall in a big spot. Needing a big stop, the Titans defense makes sure the ensuing Rockridge drive goes nowhere, while Payton Thompson’s punt return puts the offense at the 16 yard line, and Landon Montroy scores on the first play from scrimmage to cut the Rockets lead to two points. To end the first half, Rockridge would find their way to midfield but a last play Hail Mary fell just a few yards short, sending the game to the break with Rockridge up 14-12.
The Titans offense took the field to open the half, and they would run the ball down the field efficiently, ultimately scoring on a 21 yard scamper from Payton Thompson on 4th and 2 to give the Titans their first lead of the game. This lead would not last long, as Trevor Dye returned a 90 yard kickoff to put the Rockets back up 21-18. Monmouth-Roseville was able to get into Rockets territory on their next drive, but they would end up turning it over on downs while Rockridge’s drive ended in similar fashion to end the third quarter at 21-18 in favor of the Rockets.
A Payton Thompson punt return put the Titans offense at midfield to open the fourth quarter, facing fourth down and one it would be the Rockets holding on to get the ball back. Rockridge took advantage of this late opportunity, picking their way down the field, and finally punching it in on a 2 yard keeper from Schwigen. Monmouth-Roseville got two final tries on offense before the last whistle but they would come up short on both drives, ending the game and giving Rockridge the 28-18 win. In the stat book for the Titans, Andy Myers completed 5 of his 17 pass attempts for 87 yards and a score, Landon Montroy lead the MR rushing attack with 79 yards and a touchdown on 14 attempts, while Nick Huston paced the Titans receivers with 68 yards and a touchdown on 3 grabs. The now 7-1 Titans shift their focus on to the final game of the regular season on the road against Sterling-Newman next Friday night.
