In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Monticello's defense stood up a Benton two-point conversion in overtime and escaped with a 27-26 win in Class 3A high school football quarterfinal action Saturday afternoon in Monticello.

Benton kicked a 27-yard field goal to tie the game at 20-20 and send it to overtime. 

Monticello got the ball first and on a fourth down from just outside the goalline, Ike Young found Carter Foran in the back of the end zone to go up 27-20.

Benton go the ball back and in two plays scored as quarterback Tiffin Kouzoukas scored from seven yards out.

Benton took a timeout to set up a two-point conversion play and Kouzoukas broke one tackle but was pulled back before he could get to the goal line and Monticello players and students stormed the field as they secured a spot in a class 3A semifinal game next week against Tolono Unity.

Monticello jumped out to a 14-0 lead. On the Sage's first possession, Young hit Foran for an 85-yard touchdown pass to put the Sages up 7-0. 

With 2:43 left in the first, Young rolled in from a yard out to go up 14-0.

Benton's only score of the first was a safety. With Monticello backed up against their own end zone, Young threw an interception but a holding call in the end zone resulted in a safety. 

The Rangers chose to take the two points instead of taking the ball inside the ten-yard line. They would not find the end zone again the rest of the half.

But the Benton offense rebounded in the second half. Kouzoukas led the Rangers on an opening drive touchdown to make the score 14-9.

Nolan Buehnerkemper kicked two field goals in the second half to put Monticello up 20-9. 

With 9:18 to play in the game, Kouzoukas hit AJ Craven from 37 yards out and the Rangers converted the two-point conversion to get within 20-17.

Kouzoukas finished 19-of-29 passing for 243 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He also had 29 carries for 150 yards and two touchdowns. 

Kobi Cali led the Rangers receiving with nine catches for 65 yards. Nolan Shafer added 63 yards on five receptions. 

Young was 21-of-34 passing for 231 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. The first team all-stater also had 60 yards on 22 carries with a touchdown. 

Foran continued his stellar season with 12 receptions for 155 yards and two touchdowns. He was the ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties player of the game. 

Buehnerkemper had five receptions for 44 yards and kicked two field goals. 

Benton ends its season 8-4 overall.

Monticello goes to 10-2. They will host Tolono Unity next Saturday.

Hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.