The first ten minutes against Monticello might have been the best Orange County’s played since its win over Fluvanna County. Behind an early touchdown and a pair of field goal, the Hornets were able to take a six point lead late in the first quarter. However, the Mustangs were not interested in falling at home and by outscoring Orange 34-7 the rest of the first half, Monticello was able to fend off their visitors 55-35.
It was a fast start with Kyree Koonce putting the Mustangs on the board with an 80 yard touchdown run only to have Orange march downfield and answer with a 9-yard run from Trevon Smith. Kristopher Hooper then hit a 21 yard field goal and 40-yarder to make it 13-7.
The Mustangs scored the next fourtouchdowns with a seven yard run from Daniel Hummel followed by a 57-yard run from Koonce, then a 60-yard TD pass from Hummel to Derek Williams and finally an 87-yard TD reception to Darian Bates. Orange stopped the bleeding with DeAngelo Hunt scoring on a 57-yard rush. But the damage was done with the Mustangs taking a 41-20 lead into the break when Jordan Spry returned the ensuing kickoff 69 yards to the house.
The two teams traded touchdowns in both the third and fourth. Orange had a touchdown pass from Dayvon Greene to Mathew Chatten for 13 yards and a 12-yard rushing TD from Nicholas Morgan. Monticello got a drive capped with a 5-yard run from Seth Miles and another with Hummel running in a score from a yard out.
On the night for the Mustangs, Koonce finished with 170 yards on just nine carries. Hummell was 8 for 12 passing for 190 yards with three touchdowns. For Orange, Hunt had 16 carries for 152 yards while Smith chipped in 137 yards on 21 touches.
Monticello closes out its regular season at home with a big game against Louisa County. Orange will end its year with a trip to Albemarle.
