Story by Kadin Rogers
(Richmond, Ill). For the first time since 2018, the Monmouth-Roseville Titans football team woke up on IHSA quarterfinal weekend with a game of their own to play. After a dominating 39-14 home win over Manteno in the first round, and a thrilling second round victory over Bloomington Central Catholic, the 10-1 Titans gave themselves a chance to tangle with the number one seed in the north side of the class 3A bracket, the undefeated Richmond-Burton Rockets.
The early phase of the game would involve two teams that rely on their size and running game feeling each other out. Both offenses would trade punts on their first drives, while the Titans second drive found some rhythm initially but would ultimately stall out around midfield. A fast moving first quarter would end at 0-0. After the break however, Richmond-Burton broke the scoring cap off the game, converting on several third downs on their way to a 4 yard touchdown from all-state running back Hunter Carley. Yardage remained hard to come by for the rest of the half for the Titans offense, as another quick punt gave the ball back to the Rockets. A couple chunk plays through the air to junior wide receiver Jace Nelson put Richmond back in the M-R red zone, however this time the Titans defense hunkered down and forced the Rockets to settle for a 25 yard field goal to keep the lead at 10-0. With 2:40 left in the first half Monmouth-Roseville would have one more crack at points, but they would ultimately be forced to punt around midfield, and the Rockets, more than content to take the game to half, would kneel out the waining seconds of the first half.
Receiving the second half kick, Richmond-Burton would waste no time building on their momentum out of the break. A long kickoff return from Carley would set up his fellow backfield mate Riley Shea to punch in a two yard score to build the Rockets lead to 17-0 just 30 seconds into the third quarter. In need of an answer in a hurry, the Titans would find a way to convert several third downs, scrapping their way to midfield. Once there however, the Titans would commit their first and only turnover of the contest, coughing the ball up on a first down run that the Rockets defense would recover. Richmond would make M-R pay for a rare mistake, as Blake Livdahl ran one in from 7 yards out to give Richmond a 24-0 advantage with 4:40 to play in the third. Mon-Rose’s ensuing drive was thwarted this time on a 4th and 1 that was well read and stuffed by the Rockets. The Titans did find a way to head into the final quarter of action on a positive note, as senior defensive back Elliott Rogers picked off a 4th down pass intended for Nelson, keeping M-R in the game.
A 37 yard run by Nick Huston opened the fourth quarter on the right track for the Titans offense, giving themselves a chance to bring the game within two scores. However after getting behind the sticks on the early downs, Monmouth-Roseville would come away with no points as their fourth down shot to the end zone fell incomplete. After their defensive stand, the Rockets would put the proverbial exclamation point on the game, as Livdahl scampered for a 54 yard touchdown to move the advantage to 31-0. Shocking no one around the Titans program however, the team showed no willingness to wave the white flag. Monmouth-Roseville’s offense would drive their way down to the goal line and get themselves on the board, fittingly by way of Nick Huston who was no stranger to the end zone for the Titans this season. Wrapping up the game, Richmond-Burton would get a couple first downs, then go in victory formation to seal a trip to IHSA semifinal action next weekend.
The 31-6 loss for Monmouth-Roseville officially ends their season, but it will be a season talked about for a long time in the area. The 10-2 record for the Titans marks the first time in program history the team reached 10+ wins. Accomplishment wise, M-R produced two class 3A all staters, senior running back Nick Huston, who’s 1,827 rushing yards placed him top 10 in rushing yards in the entire state, and senior offensive tackle Brody Dodd, who along with his line mates of Landyn Angelo, Javan John, Michael Gooding, Brian Miller, and Cody Johnson, helped pave the way for the Titans to rush for well over 3,000 yards as a total unit. The defensive side would also break records, as senior defensive back Elliott Rogers nabbed eight interceptions, finishing top ten in the state and setting a new school record. The Titans program now shifts to the offseason, as they will look to reload next year in year 16 of coach Jeremy Adolphson’s Titans tenure.
For the replay of the WMOI radio broadcast of the game, click HERE
