In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Monticello overcame a slow start and pulled away in the third quarter for a 21-6 season-opening win over IVC from Chillicothe Friday night in Illini Prairie Conference high school football action.

The Sages and Grey Ghosts played to a scoreless first quarter, but IVC started the second quarter with a first-and-goal from the nine-yard line when junior quarterback Keegan Schol scored from nine yards out for a 6-0 lead.

Monticello would answer, but not until the 2:34 mark of the second quarter when Nolan Buehnerkemper found Zeke Young for an 86-yard touchdown to give Monticello a 7-6 lead, a lead they would not give back.

Monticello went up 14-6 in the third quarter when Buehnerkemper scored from ten yards out on a quarterback run.

Just before the third quarter expired, Forrest Rawdin returned a blocked punt 18 yards for a touchdown to make it 21-6 Monticello. 

It was a sloppy game from both teams. Schol finished 7-for-17 with 68 yards passing and two interceptions for IVC. He rushed for 50 yards on 15 carries with a touchdown.

Buehnerkempr was 15-for-26 for 191 yards with a touchdown but three interceptions for the Sages. He also rushed for 34 yards on 11 carries with a score.

Young hauled in four catches for 107 yards for the Sages with a touchdown. 

IVC was penalized 11 times for 68 yards, while Monticello was penalized nine times for 65 yards. 

The Sages start the season 1-0. They will host Tolono Unity next Friday night for their home opener. Hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.