The Monticello Sages capitalized on numerous miscues from a young Milwaukee Academy of Science football team en route to a 39-6 win in non-conference high school football action Friday night from Monticello.

The scoring started with a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown to put the Sages up 6-0.

Then Drew Sheppard hit Trey Welter for a 54-yard strike to make the score 12-0.

After Monticello picked off freshman quarterback Braylyn Albritton, Tylor Bundy ran 24-yards for a touchdown to put the Sages up 18-0.

With six seconds left in the half, Albritton threw to the sideline and Spencer Mitze picked it off and took it to the house for a pick-six and Monticello led 25-0 at the break.

A screen pass for 54-yards to Luke Teschke put Monticello ahead 32-0 and it looked like the Sages would cruise to a 40-point running clock victory but the Novas continued to battle and struck from three yards out with Josiah Johnson's touchdown run and continued to make Monticello earn each and every yard offensively. 

Monticello concluded the scoring when Teschke returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown to go up 39-6.

Sheppard finished 12-for-22 for 167 yards and touchdowns and an interception. He also ran for 127 yards on eight carries. 

Bundy finished with 48 yards and a touchdown on ten carries.

Welter had two receptions for 59 yards with a touchdown.

Mitze's defensive efforts earned him the ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties player of the game nod.

Milwaukee Academy of Science's Albritton finished 27-for-47 for 252 with five picks but at one point in the second half had completed a stretch of 15 of 18 passes. A young  Novas team has a very bright future ahead. 

The Sages move to 2-1 overall while the Novas drop to 3-1. 

Monticello resumes Illini Prairie Conference action next Friday night at Bloomington Central Catholic.