The Monticello Billies looked to continue their success not only in the 2023 season but also in their current run in the 8-4A, entering Friday’s contest against Hamburg with an overall record of 4-2 and a 8-4A Conference record of 3-1.
Traveling to Hamburg to face the Lions, who came into the contest with an overall record of 1-5 and a conference record of 1-3, the Billies would see the return of linebacker Jagger Hines, who has had to miss the first six games due to a shoulder injury that sidelined the Junior at the end of the 2023 Billie Baseball season.
Having won the opening coin toss, the Hamburg Lions would elect to receive the football to begin the contest.
Daniel Pace would kick the ball off with Hamburg’s Peyton Sellers taking the ball at the Hamburg 30, returning the ball seven yards after being stopped by James Sims at the Hamburg 37.
Nikel Lewis would get the first two carries of the contest for the Lions, advancing the ball to the Monticello 41.
Hamburg’s Freshman Quarterback, Kaeden Thomas would advance the ball to the Monticello 38 and on the next play, Thomas would bust free for a 38-yard run for the Lion touchdown.
Alberto Aguilar added the extra point to give the Lions a 7-0 lead with 9:56 remaining in the first quarter.
Hamburg would get the first turnover of the contest on their kickoff after the score, recovering the onside kick of the Monticello 49 yard line.
Thomas’s first pass of the contest would be completed to Anthony Smith who advanced the ball to the Monticello 16.
After advancing the ball to the Monticello four, Thomas would scramble for the endzone but fumbled the ball with Laytn Nichols recovering the ball at the four for the Billies.
The Billies, beginning their drive at their own four, would advance the ball into Hamburg territory, but the drive would stall at the Hamburg 21, turning the ball over on downs with 3:05 remaining in the quarter.
Hamburg’s next drive came to an end with 1:22 showing in the clock after Tye Guthrie intercepted the Lion pass at the Hamburg 37.
Jon Jackson advanced the ball to the Hamburg 32 and after an incomplete pass, Brooks Bowman connected with Tejon Tensley for a 32-yard touchdown strike.
Joseph Rojas added the extra point to tie the contest, 7-7.
Hamburg’s next possession would extend into the second quarter but would end on a punt.
Monticello’s first possession of the second quarter would net the same result with the Billies punting the ball away from the Monticello 15, with the kick being downed at the Monticello 39.
Thomas would take the ball from the Monticello 39, scoring the go ahead touchdown with 5:20 remaining in the half.
After the extra point, the Lions led 14-7.
Monticello would lose the ball on the Hamburg kickoff on a fumble, but regain possession on the first pass on Hamburg’s possession on an interception by Tensley at the Monticello five with 5:14 remaining in the half.
Monticello would cover the 95 yards in 11 plays with Quay Rhodes taking the ball in from 18 yards out with 35 seconds shown on the clock.
After the Rojas kick, the game was once again tied.
Hamburg would retake the lead before the half ended on a successful field goal by Aguilar to give the Lions a 17-14 advantage at the half.
Hamburg would kick the ball off to begin the second half with Tensley taking the kickoff at the Hamburg 35 for no return.
Rhodes would advance the ball into Hamburg territory, down to the Hamburg 43, but a holding call against the Billies would move the ball back to the Monticello 41.
Bowman would connect with Rhodes to advance the ball to the Hamburg 45 before connecting with Tensley for a 45-yard touchdown pass.
After the Rojas kick, the Billies led 21-17.
Hamburg would retake the lead on their next possession.
Beginning their drive on their own 35, the Lions advanced the ball to the Monticello three in five plays with Nikel Lewis covering the three-yards for the Hamburg score.
Aguilar added the extra point to give the Lions a 24-21 lead.
Monticello’s next drive ended with the Billies turning the ball over on downs at the Hamburg 28.
Hamburg would take advantage of the Monticello drive stalling, covering the 72 yards in six plays, being capped off by a 49-yard run by Lewis for the Lion touchdown.
Aguilar missed the extra point with the Lions extending the lead to 30-21.
Monticello’s next drive would extend into the fourth quarter with the Billies scoring from seven yards out on a touchdown pass from Bowman to Tensley for the third time in the contest.
Rojas added the extra point to cut the lead to 30-28 with 9:41 remaining.
Monticello’s defense would force the Lions to punt on their next possession with the drive officially beginning at the Hamburg 48.
Bowman moved the ball deeper into Hamburg territory with a completed pass to Evan Bealer at the Hamburg 34 followed by a touchdown pass of 34 yard to Quay Rhodes.
After the failed two point conversion, the Billies led 34-30.
Monticello’s defense would step up one more time on Hamburg’s final drive, forcing the Lions to turn the ball over on downs at the Monticello 48.
Bowman would take a knee with Monticello victorious.
