Rich, Monticello advances to second straight championship matchup

Coming into the season, the Rich coaching staff knew it had the right personnel and experience to make it back to the 8-Player championship game again in a chance to repeat last season’s success.
“It’s been a fun season so far. This has been the goal all along. Not just to make it back to the final game but to be able to win it,” Rich coach Tyson Larsen said. “We truly believe we are the best team here and we’re ready to prove that one more time.”
Rich was able to get on the board with two touchdowns in the first quarter thanks to a 45-yard rush by Carter Hoffman and a quick 3-yard rush by Drake Weston. It then built onto its lead going into the end of the first half, scoring 26 points in just the second quarter alone, leading the Longhorns of Altamont by a score of 40-0.
Hoffman was a big part of that quick start. Hoffman ended the game with 99 rushing yards on only six carries and two touchdowns, adding to that, he went an efficient 13-for-16 passing for 166 yards and two passing TDs. Backup quarterback Jett Holmes was able to add two touchdowns on his own in relief for Hoffman.
“He was doing everything today, flying around everywhere on the field. Getting us to a comfortable lead to start the game and we were able to just cruise from there,” said Larsen. “He’s really one of the central pieces to everything that we do on the offensive and defensive ends of the field. He did a great job using his other teammates today and spreading the ball around, which was able to open the field for him more.”
Rich will be attempting to win their eighth title in 16 attempts next week on Nov. 11 against the winner of the other 8-Player semifinal game between Water Canyon and Monticello at SUU.
For the third straight season and the 11th time in their schools 72-year history the Monticello Buckaroos are heading to the 8-player championship game.
“You are always grateful that you can even make it to this game. And to go three straight years into the finals is a tribute to these kids and what they want to accomplish. We’re ready for next week and were excited to get another chance,” said Monticello coach Reed Anderson.
Monticello struggled early on to convert their drives into points. Only scoring their first score of the day with 3:14 left in the second quarter when Jackson Keyes was able to find Carter Rogers for a quick 10-yard touchdown. That one scoring play seemed to be all that the Buckaroos needed to open their playbook, as they were able to score two more touchdowns before the end of the half. A 79-yard touchdown pass and an 18-yard pass both to Monticello stud receiver Carter Rogers. Who was able to get three receiving catches just in the second quarter. Monticello would go into the half leading 21-0.
“They were boasting before the game saying that they wanted more chances to play together,” aid coach Reed of Jackson Keyes and Carter Rogers. “Every connection they had this game just led them to becoming more confident. I noticed that and kept calling their numbers for them because they just wanted more and more touches, and they were successful.”
Jackson Keyes would end the game going 12 of 30 but was able to get 312 yards with five passing touchdowns. Four of those tosses went to Carter Rogers. Rogers ended the game with seven receptions for 215 yards. Rogers was also able to return a kickoff 80-yards for a touchdown.
A crazy sequence occurred in third quarter starting with Water Canyon scoring on a 26-yard pass TD which was followed by 80-yard kickoff return by Monticello for a touchdown and immediately a 75-yard kick return by Water Canyon. Monticello was able to score another long touchdown thanks to a fourth receiving touchdown by Carter Rogers. Water Canyon was able to add another kick return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter for their second one of the game. But it was not enough as Monticello won the matchup 40-18.
Monticello will move on to play the No. 1 seed in the 8-player championship game on November 16th at the Eccles Coliseum on the campus of Southern Utah in Cedar City. This will be the 40th matchup between the two teams, with Rich leading the series 24-15 and will be the fifth meeting in a championship game. Monticello won three of the four previous matchups in the championship series.