Apparently losing 29 seniors in a talent-laden class isn’t impacting the bottom line over at Monticello. At least not in week one.
CJ Page headlined Monticello’s new offensive attack as the Mustangs rolled 38-7 over Albemarle. Page piled up more than 100 yards in just the first half, and finished with 151 yards and two touchdowns on the night in his debut as the starter.
The senior running back kicked things into high gear on Monticello’s second offensive drive, carrying the ball five times for 42 yards as the Mustangs quickly answered Albemarle’s opening score with a two minute, five second drive to tie the game at 7-7 late in the first quarter. Page showed patience and vision on the possession, exploding through any crease in the line for several strong runs, including the 10-yard scoring jaunt that capped the drive.
But while Page was solid, there were a number of plays where he was five yards past the line of scrimmage before he was even grazed, a testament to the play of Monticello’s new offensive line.
“We were getting a great surge,” said Monticello coach Brud Bicknell. “It gave us some confidence being able to run the ball effectively.”
Quarterback Tyler Moneymaker, also debuting as a Monticello starter, posted a strong outing for the Mustangs, going 10-for-17 for 156 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown toss to Thomas Estepp. Moneymaker also had a rushing touchdown.
Monticello’s defense came up with several big-time plays, including a pair of interceptions by EJ Johnson, a senior defensive back. Johnson’s first pick came late in the second quarter when he nabbed a fourth down and goal pass by Albemarle’s Joseph Varaska on Monticello’s 9-yard line and raced 62 yards deep into Albemarle territory.
“I just watched the quarterback and I just grabbed it,” Johnson said.
The second came on Albemarle’s opening drive of the second half when he jumped a crossing route and again on what Bicknell called an instinctive play. Timmy Rollins also had a strong game, setting the tone for the Mustangs by stuffing Jervon Speller for a 4-yard loss on third and one during the Patriots’ second possession.
Despite Monticello’s dominance on the scoreboard, Albemarle actually struck first in the contest when Varaska connected with Jordan Hill on a slip screen and the senior wideout sprinted eight yards for a touchdown.
But the Patriots suffered from several self-inflicted mistakes, including a pair of heartbreaking penalties in the third quarter. The flags came when two long touchdowns by the Patriots, a 58-yard jaunt by Jervon Speller and a 93-yard punt return by Daniel Ricotta both were called back for penalties.
“We thought we were going to get back into the game,” said Albemarle coach Wendell Green. “That’s 14 points taken off the board. That definitely was a big shock to us, not getting the points.”
Mayn Francisco rushed for 84 yards on 14 carries, including a 52-yard sprint in the second quarter.
Albemarle hosts Western Albemarle next week in the second of its three-part county tour that ends with Charlottesville. Monticello stays at home for a second straight week against Huguenot.
