With a Region 3C playoff berth likely on the line, Monticello football had to hold on tight Friday night after building a 19-point lead early in the fourth quarter.
The Mustangs survived, overcoming a recovered onsides kick with three minutes to play to pick up a 27-22 win over Orange County and earn a spot in the postseason for the first time in six years.
Bolstered by a big night from Tre Early, who rushed for 161 yards on just seven touches, the Mustangs rushed for 285 yards on the ground as a team with three different players notching touchdowns on the ground. That rushing success helped Monticello in a huge way as they had to throw the ball just eight times to pickup the win.
Monticello built a 27-8 lead when Juelz Christmas-Jackson punched the ball in from six yards out early in the fourth quarter,
The Hornets refused to go quietly though, with James Cooper, Jr. ripping off a 97-yard kick return for a touchdown. After a Monticello three and out and a turnover on downs by the Hornets, Monticello fumbled and gave the Hornets a chance. Brody Foran caught a ball from Darius Holmes and scored with 2:13 to play. The Hornets then recovered the ensuing onsides kick.
That’s when Brandon Herring stepped up on the back end of the Monticello defense and picked off Holmes, allowing Monticello the chance to run out the clock and pick up the critical win over the Hornets.
Holmes finished with 224 yards on 14-for-22 passing and Bubba Wells had a touchdown and 68 yards on 18 touches. Christian Simpson had 119 yards on six catches.
For Monticello, Early did the most damage, including a 94-yard sprint for a touchdown in the fourth quarter that made up the bulk of his yardage.
Monticello will take on Fluvanna County with a chance to carry some serious momentum into the region playoffs next week while Orange looks to bounce back on the road against Charlottesville.
