Buckaroos fall in close Homecoming game

by David Boyle
News Director
The Monticello High School football team fell to the Altamont Longhorns in a back-and-forth football game on September 12. The final score favored Altamont 44-37.
A failed onside kick attempt to open the game gave Monticello the ball at the Altamont 41. The Buckaroos moved the ball down for an 11-play drive capped by a five-yard touchdown pass from Jackson Keyes to Jaeden Camacho. A successful two-point conversion made the score 8-0.
Altamont’s first drive started at the Monticello 35. The Longhorns drove 65 yards in 12 plays to add their own touchdown on a five-yard run, but failed on a two-point try, making the score 8-6.
Monticello responded immediately when return man Miles Coleman took the ensuing kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown, increasing the Bucks’ lead to 16-6.
A good return for Altamont gave them the ball at their own 48. The Longhorns needed just three plays to respond with a 35-yard touchdown pass and a two-point conversion making the score 16-14 with 1:30 left in the first quarter.
The teams traded scoreless possessions until Monticello forced a turnover when Seth Taylor batted a ball in the air which was intercepted by John Leber.
The Buckaroos were unable to capitalize however, with a fumble recovered by Altamont a few plays later. Once again the defense held strong forcing a punt after three plays.
Monticello started the next drive at their own 40. A double pass play allowed Young to find Peyton Hatathley for a 57-yard gain.
Two plays later Shumway ran the ball into the end zone for a touchdown with Leber adding the extra point kick to give Monticello a 23-14 lead with 3:30 remaining in the half.
Altamont’s drive began at their own 27 and they went quickly down the field in eight plays. They capped their drive with a four-yard fourth-down touchdown run, making the score 23-20 with 22 seconds remaining in the half.
Coleman once again returned the kick-off for a touchdown, but an unforced blind-side hit was called against Monticello bringing the touchdown back. Monticello was unable to score before halftime.
The teams traded scoreless possessions to start the second half. Altamont took over at their own 16 and capped an impressive drive with a 48-yard touchdown run for their first lead of the game 28-23.
Monticello took the lead right back with a penalty on the kickoff and a gain on their first play setting up a 33-yard touchdown pass from Keyes to Young. Young then passed to Bean Rogers for a two-point conversion, making the count 31-28 with 4:30 left in the third quarter.
Altamont’s drive started at the Monticello 42 and lasted 14 plays. Monticello’s defense backed the Longhorns up where they faced a third-and-28 but they completed a 30-yard touchdown pass, making the score 36-31 with 10:30 remaining in the game.
Monticello responded with a long sustained drive from the 20 all the way to inside the Altamont five, but a fumble was recovered by Altamont.
Monticello’s defense held strong and a failed Altamont fake punt gave Monticello the ball at the Altamont five. Shumway ran the ball in to give Monticello a 37-36 lead with two minutes left.
Altamont responded immediately, returning the kickoff for a touchdown with a two-point conversion giving Altamont the lead back 44-37.
Monticello’s offense was unable to tie the game up with penalties backing the Bucks up on their last drive. Altamont secured the win with an interception in the waning moments.
Monticello is home this Friday September 19 as they host the 2-1 Norwood, CO Mavericks. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and you can catch all the action live on StreamUtah.Live.