Coming off a successful AAA Benefit Scrimmage at Rison one week ago, the Monticello Junior Billies would open the 2024 season at Hyatt Filed on Thursday, August 29, hosting the Junior Redbugs of Fordyce.
Crews Preston would kick the ball away to the Redbugs to get things started with the Redbug returner getting a 13-yard return to begin the drive at the Fordyce 44 yard line.
After one running play for no gain, Fordyce would fumble the ball on the next play with TK Hoover recovering the fumble at the Fordyce 35 and returning the ball to the Fordyce one yardline to set up first and goal.
Junior Billie Quarterback Jonah White would take the ball into the endzone for the Junior Billie touchdown with 6:42 remaining in the first quarter.
The two-point conversion was not successful to give the Junior Billies a 6-0 lead.
The Monticello Junior Billie defense would keep Fordyc In their own territory on the next possession, forcing the Redbugs to punt with Monticello taking over at their own 36, but Fordyce would also force the Junior Billies to punt on their next possession that would be returned 65 yards for a Redbug touchdown.
After the two-point conversion, Fordyce led 8-6.
Luke Reid would receive the kickoff from Fordyce for a 12-yard return to give Monticello possession at their own 47 yard line.
Monticello would use the legs of Hoover and White to move the ball downfield with White scoring his second touchdown of the contest from the Fordyce one.
Hoover would add the two-point conversion to give the junior Billies a 14-8 lead with 4:08 remaining in the half.
Fordyce would retake the lead on their next possession on a 21-yard run and a two-point conversion with 19 seconds on the clock to take a 16-14 lead at the half.
Returning from the half, Monticello would receive the second half kickoff with Hoover returning the ball out to the Fordyce 49 after receiving the kick at the Monticello 25.
Hoover and White would once again lead the Junior Billies downfield with White scoring his third touchdown of the contest on a 21-yard run.
The two-point conversion was also taken in by White to give Monticello a 22-16 lead.
Fordyce would get a second special teams touchdown on the Monticello kickoff on a 79-yard return.
The two-point conversion was not good as the Junior Redbugs tied the contest at 22.
Fordyce would attempt an onside kick on the kickoff with Bently Smith falling on the ball at the Monticello 48.
White would carry the ball down to the Fordyce 16 with an offsides call against the Junior Redbugs placing the ball at the 11.
Dax Bowman would get the carry from the 11 for the Junior Billie touchdown.
The two-point conversion failed as the Junior Billies took the 28-22 lead.
Monticello would maintain the lead for the remainder of the third quarter, turning the ball over on downs at the Fordyce 40 with 7:52 remaining in the contest.
Fordyce would move the ball into Monticello territory, down to the Monticello 38, but a penalty would push Fordyce back to their own 46.
After an incomplete pass, Fordyce would complete their next pass for a 54-yard touchdown strike with 3:11 remaining in the contest.
The Junior Redbugs added the two-point play to take a 30-28 lead.
Monticello’s final drive of the contest would begin on their own 37 with the drive never materializing, turning the ball over on downs at the Monticello 39.
Fordyce would take a knee to expire the clock taking the 30-28 win.
The Junior Billies will be on the road for their next contest, travelling to McGehee to take on the Junior Owls.
The 7th Grade Billies will take the field first at 5:30 pm with the Junior Owls and Junior Billies set to kick things off at 7 pm on Thursday, September 5.
