In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Monticello won its sixth straight game shutting out a depleted Paxton-Buckley-Loda team 33-0 Friday night in Illini Prairie Conference high school football action in Monticello.
Nolan Buehnerkemper helped lead a complete effort by Monticello Friday. The junior had nine receptions for 158 yards with a touchdown. He had an interception and kicked two field goals - one of 31 yards and the other of 39 yards.
Monticello's defense was stout all night. The Panthers lost their starting quarterback Carter Vaughn in the second quarter and the offensive struggles only got worse.
Monticello did not allow a first down in the first half and limited PBL to just nine total yards of offense.
The Sages bottled up the Panthers' dynamic playmaker, Robert Boyd-Meents, holding him to just ten yards on nine carries.
PBL had just 23 yards of total offense for the game.
While Buehnerkemper was the story for Monticello Friday, senior quarterback Ike Young had another standout performance. He finished 17-of-28 for 228 passing with a touchdown and added 105 yards on 21 carries with a touchdown.
He scored the game's first touchdown from eight yards out with 4:14 to go in the first quarter.
After the Sages defense forced PBL into a three-and-out to start the second half, Young hit Buehnerkemper on a 58-yard touchdown on the Sages' first possession of the second half to put the game nearly out of reach at 27-0.
With Monticello ahead 14-0, Buehnerkemper kicked a 31-yard field goal with 3:41 to play in the third quarter and then a 39-yarder with three seconds left in the half.
Carter Foran was limited to seven catches and 47 yards Friday.
Paxton-Buckley-Loda suffers its first loss of the season going to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the conference.
Monticello has won six in a row to go to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the Illini Prairie Conference.
The Sages will host Prairie Central next Friday night. Game time is 7 pm. Hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.
