In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Monticello's defense pitched a shutout and the Sages overcame a sluggish offensive performance to beat Paxton-Buckley-Loda 14-6 in Illini Prairie Conference high school football action Friday in Monticello.
For a second week in a row, Monticello played spoiler, knocking the Panthers out of postseason contention, sending them to a 4-5 season.
Monticello improved to 7-2 and is in a prime position to host a playoff game next week.
The Sages scored on its first drive of the game, set up by a 24-yard throw from Nolan Buehnerkemper to Will Osborne that put the Sages at the one-yard line. Buehnerkemper scored on a keeper on the next play.
Monticello had the ball inside the red zone twice in the first half and failed to come away with points after a pair of missed field goals and offensive miscues got them behind the chains.
PBL hurt their chances with penalties as well. They had a 45-yard run in the first half called back because of a holding penalty and were penalized for a total of 65 yards.
The only score of the game for the Panthers was a third-quarter blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown by Mason Vaughn. The two-point conversion failed to make the score 7-6.
Monticello scored on the next drive when Buehnerkemper hit Zeke Young for a 50-yard score. Young was left wide open at the 10-yard line and finished the play with a strong run to the goal line to put Monticello up 14-6.
The Sages' defense answered the bell all night, allowing under 150 yards of total offense, and sacked Sam Hall twice on the last drive to end the game and PBL's season.
DT Jake Motsegood was the State Bank of Bement, Monticello location player of the game, leading the defensive onslaught.
Buehnerkemper passed for 202 yards, finishing 19-for-23 with a touchdown and an interception. He also ran for 37 yards on 12 carries with another score.
Young surpassed the 100-yard threshold again, catching 11 more passes and amassing 128 yards. Maddux Utley had 54 yards on 11 carries.
Monticello awaits its first round playoff opponent to be announced Saturday night.
Hear first-round playoff action next weekend on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.
