In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Monticello scored on its final two possessions of the first half and scored to start the second half as they took control of a 49-20 win over DuQuoin in the first round of the Class 3A high school football playoffs Saturday afternoon in Monticello.
Ike Young opened the game with a 64-yard run on the first play from scrimmage but each team missed opportunities with good field position and offense came a premium until the Indians scored with 4:31 to play in the second quarter to tie the game at 7-7.
Monticello answered with a scoring drive that was capped by Young finding Carter Foran from six yards out to put the Sages up 14-7 with 1:56 left in the first half.
The Indians went three-and-out on its next possession with two incomplete passes that stopped the clock and gave Monticello plenty of time to score.
A face mask penalty on the punt return set Monticello up at the 44 yard line three plays later Young hit Foran again on a post route for a 28 yard touchdown that put the Sages ahead 21-7 with 35 seconds left in the half - their lead going into the intermission.
Out of the second half, another drive stalled out for DuQuoin and Monticello got the ball back. The Sages capalized and Young ran in another touchdown from 34 yards out to go up 28-7.
The Sages would put the game out of reach answering a 49-yard touchdown run by DuQuoin's Triston Webb to make the score 35-13. Young scored on another quarterback run from three yards out.
The senior quarterback - who is an Illinois baseball commit - accounted for six total touchdowns. He was 11 of 16 passing for 133 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Young also ran 14 times for 163 yards and three scores.
Foran eclipsed the 100-yard threshold again catching six passes for 108 yards and three touchdowns.
Young was the ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties player of the game.
For DuQuoin, junior quarterback Johnathan Brown had 19 carries for 115 yards with a touchdown while Webb had 16 carries for 178 yards with two scores.
The Indians ran for 319 yards but only passed for 40 yards with two turnovers. They end their season 6-4 overall.
Monticello goes to 8-2 and will advance to take on Williamsville next Saturday. Game time is to be determined.
