Story by Kadin Rogers.
(Princeton, Ill). TRACtion was in full effect on Friday night, as huge games in both the Rock and Mississippi divisions took place. Over on the Mississippi side, the Monmouth-Roseville Titans traveled up to Princeton to take on a very familiar foe in the Tigers. With revenge on the mind and homecoming festivities on the docket, the Tigers were looking for a pivotal win in their season, but this one would be all for the Titans as they played their usual brand of smash mouth football, running behind their stable of lineman in Brody Dodd, Landyn Angelo, Javan John, Brian Miller, and Cody Johnson on the way to a 36-8 statement win.
A defensive struggle would ensue for nearly all of the first quarter, with both teams trading punts on their early drives. In Monmouth-Roseville’s final drive however they were able to stack good plays, driving themselves inside the red zone to end the quarter. Right out of the break to start the second, junior Lars Bergren, facing a critical third and goal, gutted out an eight yard run to put the Titans on the board first. Princeton’s offense got a small spark on a big run from Casey Etheridge, but the rest of the drive would go nowhere, giving the Titans the runway on the next drive to eat most of the second quarter clock, and 11 plays later scoring on a run from Nick Huston to go up 14-0 at the end of the first half.
Receiving the opening kickoff, the Titans quickly added another score, after a good kickoff return set Huston up to house a 39 yarder, and add on a 2 point conversion. With their backs against the wall, down 22-0, sophomore receiver Jack Oester ripped off the biggest Tigers play of the night to set their offense up with a goal to go situation. The bigger play on the down however would be Elijah Noel’s touchdown saving tackle, that let the Titans defense stand tall, ultimately forcing an interception in the end zone by Elliott Rogers to keep the Tigers from gaining any momentum.
Princeton’s offense would have another chance to get the ball game back down to two scores to open the fourth quarter, but their drive would go nowhere, leading to another Tigers punt. Landon Montroy got in on the scoring party on the next possession, putting the game officially out of reach at 29-0 halfway through the fourth. Etheridge kept Princeton’s offense from getting shutout, going 55 yards on a touchdown reception to get PHS on the board. Mon-Rose however would put one more clinical drive together, punching in another score by Montroy to put the final score at 36-8.
In the statbook for the Titans, Nick Huston rushed for 157 yards and 2 scores on 19 carries, Landon Montroy added 127 yards and another 2 touchdowns on 24 rush attempts, while quarterback Clay Casteel completed both of his pass attempts for 24 yards. The 5-0 Titans are now already playoff eligible, and they will look to keep their undefeated season going on the road next Friday in Sherrard.
For the WMOI radio broadcast of the game, click HERE
