The Monticello Junior Billies kicked off the Warren rivalry week by hosting the Warren Junior Lumberjacks on Thursday night at Hyatt Field.
Monticello would win the opening coin toss but would defer to the second half.
Crews Preston’s kick would reach the 26 yard line with the Warren returner, returning the ball to the Warren 34 where he was tackled by TK Hoover.
After losing two yards on their first play from scrimmage, Monticello’s Zaylen Gaston would intercept the Warren quarterback’s pass at the Monticello 40, getting a 10-yard return before being brought down at the 50.
An offsides call against the jUnior Lumberjacks would move the ball into Warren territory to the 45 but the Junior Billies would lose yardage on the first two plays of the drive.
Joanh White would complete his first pass to Preston to advance the ball to the Warren 37 before Hoover would pick up the first down on a four-yard run to the 33.
Monticello would move the ball to the Warren 12 before another Warren penalty gave Monticello a spot at the seven, where White would take the ball in for the Junior Billie touchdown.
White would pass the two-point conversion to give the Billies an 8-0 lead with 3:10 remaining in the first quarter.
Preston would kick the ball away after the touchdown for no return at the Warren 35.
Warren would move the ball into Monticello territory to the 48 and on the next play a completed pass led to Hoover recovering a fumble at the Monticello 36 to give Monticello the second turnover of the contest with 48 seconds remaining in the quarter.
Monticello could not take advantage of the turnover as the drive would stall at the 50 with Warren receiving Monticello’s punt at the 20, returning the ball 19 yards to the Warren 39.
The Junior Lumberjacks would get on the board on their next drive after advancing the ball to the Monticello 13, getting a touchdown on a 13-yard pass.
The two-point conversion would not be successful as the Junior Billies maintained the 8-6 lead.
Monticello would advance the ball into Warren territory on their next possession on a combination of runs by White and Dax Bowman, but the drive would end at the Warren 24 after the Junior Billies were forced to turn the ball over on downs.
Warren would get an 18-yard pass completion on their first play of the drive, but TK Hoover would intercept the next Junior Lumberjack pass to end the half.
Monticello would receive the ball to begin the second half with Monticello beginning their drive at their own 47 after Luke Fakouri successfully received the onside kick.
Monticello would advance the ball to the Warren 39 after a one-yard run by Hoover and a two-yard run by White followed by a five-yard offsides penalty by the Junior Lumberjacks.
Hoover would gain 11 yards on the next carry to the 28 followed by a nine yard run down to the 19 yard line by White.
White and Hoover would exchange carries on the next two plays to get the ball down to the 11 yard line where White would take the ball in for the score.
Monticello would go for the two-point conversion but White’s pass would fall short as the two-point conversion was not successful.
After the score, the Junior Billies led 14-6 with 5:08 remaining in the third quarter.
Warren would receive the football at their own 25 from the Preston kick with a 10-yard return to the Warren 35.
Warren would immediately advance the ball into Monticello territory and with 2:35 seconds remaining in the quarter, Warren tied the contest with the touchdown and two-point conversion.
Monticello would be forced to punt on their next drive with Warren getting the ball on their own four yard line.
Beginning the drive at the four with 6:19 remaining in the contest.
Warren would advance the ball down to the Monticello 10 and with 1:24 on the clock, the Junior Lumberjacks took the lead 20-14.
Monticello would turn the ball over on their final drive of the contest on an interception to end the game.
Monticello will travel to Star City on Thursday night to take on the Junior Bulldogs at 7 pm.
