In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Maddux Utley scored on a 48-yard touchdown run and capped a big Monticello comeback in a 28-21 win over St. Joseph-Ogden on Homecoming night in Illini Prairie Conference football action Friday night.
Utley's touchdown capped a comeback from an early 14-0 deficit.
The Spartans had the game's first two scores, on one-yard runs by senior quarterback Kodey McKinney. But Monticello battled back the rest of the way.
With under a minute left, Nolan Buehnerkemper scored the first of his three touchdowns from one yard out to cut the deficit to 14-7.
The Spartans answered on the next drive when McKinney found Kaden Witeg down the sideline for a 48-yard strike to put St. Joe back up 21-7.
It was all Monticello from there. The only Sages turnover of the game came when Nolan Buehnerkemper had a pass tipped as Monticello was driving down the field in St. Joe territory late in the first half.
However, the Spartans' offense stalled. Monticello got the football to start the second half and had back-to-back scoring drive,s and Buehnerkemper scored from one yard out on each to tie the game at 21-21 - setting up Utley's big run at the 7:24 mark of the fourth quarter.
Monticello only allowed past midfield once in the second half and Zeke Young intercepted McKinney in the end zone with 1:31 left in the game to help seal the come-from-behind victory for Monticello.
The Sages eclipsed 250 yards on the ground, led by Buehnerkemper's 115 yards on 27 carries and three touchdowns.
Utley had 99 yards rushing on 12 carries, but a catch for a yard put him at 100 yards of total offense. Young eclipsed 100 yards of total offense with two carries for 33 yards and six receptions for 72 yards.
Buehnerkemper finished 11-of-20 for 127 yards passing with an interception.
McKinney led the Spartans with 242 yards passing and 70 yards rushing with three total touchdowns - one passing and two rushing. Wetig finished with nine receptions for 135 yards.
Buehnerkemper's complete game earned him the State Bank of Bement Monticello location Player of the Game.
St. Joseph-Ogden drops to 4-2.
Monticello improves to 4-2 overall and 3-2 in the Illini Prairie Conference. They will host Pontiac next Friday night.
