Buckaroos defeat Water Canyon handily, 57-20

The Buckaroos are 2-0 on the football field after defeating Water Canyon 57-20 on August 28.
The Buckaroos earned the win through a suffocating defense and explosive offensive performance on the road. The opening kick was sent to Water Canyon but Monticello’s defense made quick work of the Wildcats forcing a punt after just four plays on the opening drive giving Monticello the ball at the 48 yard line. Monticello’s offense just needed three plays to cap the drive with a 21-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Cache Young to Canyon Christensen. Young added the two point conversion to make the score 8-0 with 7 minutes left in the first quarter.
Water Canyon’s offense picked up one first down on their next drive but some pressure up the middle from McKay Nielson led to a poor decision throw by the Wildcat quarterback that Arturo Gutierrez caught for an interception and the first turnover of the game.
After the game Nielson said he’s taken on the challenge of a new position in his second year on the team. “They said that I could utilize my speed and I felt like I’ve been able to do that pretty effectively. You just got to get past the center and be able to put pressure on the quarterback.”
The interception set up Monticello’s offense at the 25 yard line but penalties pushed the Bucks back 10 yards with short runs and incompletions resulting in a turnover on downs.
Four plays later Water Canyon faced a fourth and one near midfield where a run attempt up the middle was stopped by Noah Dilts who stood up the runner and pushed him backwards for a loss. It was one of several tackles for loss by Dilts who reflected on a great game afterwards. “It felt pretty amazing. I whooped ‘em and that was good.”
The play helped respark the offense as well with Brandt Mack using the next play to take the ball 41 yards on a touchdown run. John Leber added the point after kick to make the score 15-0 with one minute left in the first quarter.
Monticello’s defense again forced a three-and-out to give the offense the ball at the 50 yard line
The offense covered the field in just four plays capped by a 35-yard touchdown pass from Young to Gutierrez. Leber added the point after kick to make the score 22-0 with 10:40 left in the first half.
Monticello’s defense again was relentless getting into the backfield with Nielson and Dilts combining for a sack in the series. The combination of speed and strength between the two and the rest of the defensive front had made it difficult for other teams.
Nielson said after the game said its helpful having a big man like Dilts to distract the offensive line. “there’s a big uh big guy for them to look at so I can hopefully get past them and you know, I always know that if I miss or if I slip that he’s going to come in there and punish them.” Dilts agreed saying he trusts Nielson and his teammates “He’s pretty great”.
Monticello once again took just one play to score with Cache Young running for a 40 yard touchdown making the score 28-0 with 8:30 left in the first half.
Just one score away from setting off the running clock mercy rule the Bucks second string defense got to play some defense. Water Canyon’s offense found some success driving the field in eight plays and adding a rushing touchdown and two point conversion to make the score 28-8 with 5:15 left in the half.
Monticello’s first team offense was unable to move the ball on their next possession and punted away to Water Canyon. The Wildcats offense then moved against Monticello’s starters but on a third and short Dilts was able to get a big tackle for loss to stop the Water Canyon momentum.
Monticello’s offensive continued to have short possessions with the first play of the next drive being a 48-yard pass dropped in over the defender to Gutierrez for another touchdown. Gutierrez added the two point conversion as well to make the score 36-8 with two minutes left in the half. Against the Monticello second string Water Canyon returned a big play favor to make the score 36-14 at halftime.
To start the second half Water Canyon recovered an onside kick attempt and got near the Buckaroo red zone but the defense held strong and forced a turnover on downs.
Monticello’s offense again saw an explosive play on the second play of the drive with Young running to his left and shovel passing the ball to Brandt Mack who ran for a 69-yard touchdown with Leber adding the kick to make the score 43-14 with 8 minutes left in the third quarter.
Monticello’s special teams returned the Wildcat favor and recovered an onside kick attempt by Leber covered up by Jaxon Breedlove.
Monticello’s offense then went 40 yards in six plays capped off by a one yard run by Miles Coleman. Leber added the point after kick to make the score 50-14 and trigger the running clock.
Monticello’s second string offense also found success with Damon Bunker adding a 53 yard touchdown run another kick by Leber. Water Canyon added the final points in the last few minutes to make the final count 57-20.
Young had an exceptional day throwing the ball completing six pass on 12 attempts for 217 yards and four touchdowns.
Gutierrez led the team with four catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns.
Brandt Mack had a catch for a 69 yard touchdown and Christensen had a catch for a 21 yard touchdown.
Bunker led the team on the ground with 69 yards on three carries and one touchdown. Young had 44 yards on three carries and one touchdown. Brandt Mack had a 41 yard touchdown run, Miles Coleman had 33 yards on eight carries and Cash Mack had a 17 yard run.
Defensively Monticello was led by Leber who had 11 tackles in the game, while Dilts had nine and Bryson Adair recorded seven.
Dilts tackles for loss accounted for 24 yards while Avery Hedrick had 10 and Nielson for six yards lost.
Gutierrez also had one interception returned for 29 yards. Bunker forced a fumble that Hayden Peterson recovered and Breedlove also recovered an onside kick. 
The Buckaroos next host Dolores for their first game in Monticello which also marks Homecoming. Kickoff is at 7:00 pm and if you can’t make the game you can catch it on StreamUtah.Live