Story by Parker Cassidy
The Monmouth-Roseville Titans were on the road for their Week 8 contest last Friday at Rockridge High School. Both teams entered the contest undefeated on the season at 7-0, added plenty of excitement to this long-time rivalry.
The first quarter saw both sides feeling each other out, with the game scoreless after the first 12 minutes of action. The Rockets broke through early in the second quarter to take a 7-0 lead. Rockridge added another quick score to make it 14-0. The floodgates then opened, as the Rockets capitalized on a Titan turnover. A pick-six on third-and-long, stretched the lead to 21-0. The Rockets weren’t done, connecting on another touchdown pass just before halftime to go up 28-0 at the break.
Monmouth-Roseville’s offense found more success in the second half, punching in a pair of scores, but another Rockridge pick-six and two more touchdowns sealed it, as the Titans fell 48-12.
It’s déjà vu for the Titans, who also entered Week 9 last year at 7-1 following a loss to Rockridge. Monmouth-Roseville again faces Sterling Newman in the regular-season finale. Both teams come in 7-1, with the winner earning a home playoff game in the first round.
Head Coach Jeremy Adolphson shares the keys to getting back on track tonight:
Monmouth-Roseville will be at home for their regular season finale, hosting the Comets for Senior Night, as they’ll try to send their seniors off with a strong showing and be back at Coach Dobry Field next weekend. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., with Senior Night festivities beginning at 6:15. The game will be broadcast live on Sunny 97.7 and online at radiomonmouth.com, with pregame starting at 6:30.
The United Red Storm were on the road for Week 8, taking on a solid, playoff-hopeful Illini West Chargers squad. United entered at 1-6, while the Chargers came in 3-4 needing two straight wins to reach the IHSA playoffs.
Things started slow, as Illini West scored the lone touchdown of the first quarter to take an early one score lead. The Red Storm got on the board in the second quarter but gave up another score, trailing 14-8 at halftime.
Both teams traded touchdowns in the third quarter, with the Chargers holding a 20-16 advantage heading into the fourth. United stayed within striking distance late, trailing 26-22, but things slipped away down the stretch as Illini West pulled away for a 42-22 win. The Chargers stayed alive for a postseason berth at 4-4, while the Red Storm fell to 1-7.
The Red Storm have no time to dwell as they’re back on the road this week, taking on a 6-2 Princeville Princes squad.
Head Coach Andrew Goodwin says this is a big week for the program as they look to finish strong:
With playoff hopes off the table, the Red Storm will look to win two of their final three games to build momentum as they head into the offseason. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Princeville High School. This game will be broadcasted live on AM 1330/ FM 95.7 WRAM, pregame starting at 6:30.
Elsewhere on the local week 9 football schedule…
A-Town vs. ROWVA/Williamsfield
Galesburg @ Moline
Knoxville vs. Stark County
Mercer County @ Mendota
Sherrard vs. Riverdale
Rockridge @ Spring Valley Hall/Putnam County
Orion @ Kewanee
IHSA 8-man Football
West Central vs. Amboy/Ohio
