The Monticello Sages were unceremoniously knocked out of the Class 3A high school football playoffs with a 42-12 loss to Benton Saturday afternoon but the Sages Hall of Fame coach is proud of his team and was hoping for more time with the kids.

Monticello made the long trip to southern Illinois to take on the Ranger of Benton, a team that featured an aerial offense that rivaled any opponent they had seen to that point in the season and perhaps was a prolific as its own. 

The Sages turned the ball over four times in the first half and the Rangers capitalized on three of those. Coach Cully Welter called Benton a really good, dynamic team. 

Coach Welter was disappointed to be exiting the playoffs so early. One of the benefits for playoff teams is the extra practice time for kids that will be returning the next year, something non-playoff teams do not get the luxury of. He explains he was hoping for a few more weeks to spend with his players.

The Sages graduate a group of seniors that have had unique experiences from being freshmen in the program for the 2018 State Championship team to overcoming the canceled 2020 fall season, having a shortened 2021 spring season, and then getting to get back to a traditional season this fall. Coach Welter praised the group for the impact they made on the underclassman more off the field than on the field.

Coach Welter felt his team was just a few plays away from being an undefeated team and perhaps getting a better draw in the playoffs. 

The Sages end the season 8-3.