A late score by Paxton-Buckley-Loda allowed the Panthers to topple Monticello 22-17 in Illini Prairie Conference high school football Friday night in Paxton.

Both teams started slow on a windy night in Paxton. The Panthers got on the board first on a short touchdown run by Robert Boyd-Meents (mints) to go up 8-0.

The Sages would answer with 17 unanswered in the second quarter on a five-yard touchdown run from Luke Teschke and an 11-yard touchdown pass from Teschke to Carter Foran which sandwiched a 38-yard field goal by Cole Sowinski.

But PBL shut down the Sages offense in the second half and scored a touchdown off a Monticello turnover in the third quarter to get within 17-16 and then scored again late in the fourth quarter off another Sages turnover to go up 22-17.

The Sages threatened by getting inside the red zone thanks to a 45-yard hookup between Teschke and Foran but penalties and negative plays set Monticello back to fourth and 30 and Teschke was sacked and fumbled on the fourth down play and PBL was able to run out the clock from there.

Teschke threw for 199 yards with a touchdown and interception. He ran for another score but was sacked three times in the second half and lost two fumbles for the game. 

Monticello had five turnovers. 

While junior Ike Young recorded just 55 total yards of offense, the tailback was named the ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt County Player of the Game for his effort blocking and protecting Teschke in the passing game and run game. 

PBL moves to 5-2 overall while Monticello drops to 4-3. 

The Sages need to win one of its last two games to qualify for the postseason. They visit Prairie Central next Friday night. Game time is 7 pm. Hear all the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.