Buckaroos fall to Rebels 50-14, claim third straight runner-up trophy

by David Boyle
News Director
The Monticello Buckaroos competed in the Utah 8-player championship game on November 16. Despite a valiant effort the Bucks were defeated by the Rich Rebels 50-14 to end the season with a runner-up trophy and a record of 8-4.
While the game didn’t go Monticello’s way, it opened well for the Bucks with Jaeden Camacho returning the opening kick 44 yards to give the Bucks the ball at the Rich 36 yard line.
Monticello picked up a first down on a couple of hard runs from Tavon Black and Landon Shumway. Shumways day was short with an injury taking him off the field on the first drive of the game.
Facing a third down with short yardage at the 18 yard line a holding penalty by Monticello brought them back with to the 30 yard line where two incomplete passes gave Rich the ball on a turnover on downs.
The Rebels picked up a first down on their drive and the third play of the drive the Buckaroo defense had hands on the Rebels running back in the back field but he reversed field and found green space for a 59-yeard touchdown run, making the score 6-0 with nine minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Monticello’s next drive began at the 31-yard line. A false-start pushed the Buckaroos back and a backwards pass went out of bounds to make it 2nd and 25 for the Buckaroos.
Some incomplete passes had the Buckaroos punt the ball with the special teams once again missing a few tackles leaving open space for a 50-yard punt return with a two-point conversion making the score 14-0 with 8:20 remaining in the 1st quarter.
Monticello’s next drive began at the 24-yard line with Tavon Black earning a 10-yard run and a late hit penalty giving the Bucks the ball at the 47-yard line. A few short runs led to a third and long and a fight for a pass on third down was pulled away by the Rebels for an interception.
The Rebels went on a 33-yard drive, capped off with a fourth down 14-yard run. The Bucks tackled the pitchman and once again had the Rebel runner backed up, but broken tackles in the backfield and a seam down the sideline gave Rich a 20-0 lead with 4:40 left in the first quarter.
Monticello’s John Leber and Seth Taylor were able to block the extra point.
The Bucks next drive began at the 26-yard line with a fumble recovered by Rich on second down giving them a short field.
The Buckaroo defense held strong forcing a turnover on downs after four plays, but four plays later Monticello punted the ball right back to Rich.
The Rebels scored in two plays with a 46-yard touchdown run giving them the 26-0 lead with 2:00 minutes remaining in the quarter.
The Buckaroo drive started at the 29 yard line with an incomplete pass followed by a 12 yard run by Carter Rogers but a collision with Tommy Morrison resulted in an injury ending Morrison’s season.
The Buckaroos were unable to pick up another first down giving Rich the ball at the 46-yard line to end the first quarter.
Monticello’s defense held strong with a sack by Carter Rogers on 3rd down forcing a punt by the Rebels.
Monticello punted the ball right back with the Rebels going on a 46-yard drive in six plays capped with an 8 yard touchdown pass, with the extra point making the score 33-0 with 7 minutes remaining in the first half.
The Bucks attempted a trick play pass but the ball was intercepted giving the Rebels possession at the 24-yard line.
Monticello’s defense held strong on three plays but on fourth down the Rebels lined up for a 34-yard field goal which was good making the score 36-0 with 5 minutes remaining in the first half.
Monticello’s offense was forced to punt after three plays giving Rich the ball at the 40-yard line.
With the Rebels going down the field in two plays finished by a 12 yard touchdown run and a point after making the score 43-0 with three minutes remaining in the half.
Monticello’s offense put together a 10-play 80 yard drive. The drive included 33 yards on the ground by Tavon Black on five runs, a 24-yard pass from Keyes to Cache Young, an 18-yard pass to Carter Rogers and a four yard pass to Rogers for the first score of the game. Monticello was unable to add the two-point conversion making the score 43-6 at halftime, with a point differential above 35 the game had a running clock in the second half.
On the first play of the second half Camacho forced and recovered a fumble for the Buckaroos. Monticello went on a 60-yard drive but stalled on a fourth-down conversion giving Rich the ball at their own 20 yard line.
Rich scored on the next play on an 80-yard run with a successful kick making the score 50-6 with 4:30 left in the third quarter.
The Buckaroo offense picked up one first down on their next drive but not another turning the ball over to Rich at the 41-yard line. The defense held strong with the Rebels punting the ball to the 4 yard line.
Monticello went 94 yards in 4 plays with a 35-yard pass from Keyes to Carter Rogers, a penalty, runs by Black and a 50-yard touchdown on a pass from Keyes to Camacho, who pitched it to Rogers for a hook and ladder touchdown.
Rogers added the two point conversion tossing the ball to Seth Taylor giving the final score of the game with a 50-14 final.
Reflecting on the game and the season, Head Coach Reed Anderson shared the Monticello Buckaroos came together throughout the season.
“This team is a team that worked hard and outplayed their talent. And in the end, it was, you know, kudos to Rich, they were a very talented team that managed to get us.
“But the fact these kids made it back here is a testament to them. Maybe some people thought we wouldn’t given the talent level, but this team really put it together and helped each other grow and get better and that's something that you hope you get from every team and things will start to fall into place.”
Coach Anderson also provided thanks for all the support received throughout the year.
“We're thankful for the kids, their parents, all the community that's come out and support us. It means a lot to the these kids that their hard work and dedication is is recognized by our fellow community members and that they were here to support.
“That's just a huge part of of why we love living in Monticello.”
Buckaroo fans will bid a fond farewell to seniors Camren Carpenter, Josh Morrison, Carter Rogers, Skyler Peterson, Tavon Black, and Jarum Robison.
Monticello ends the season with a record of 8-4 and a third straight runner-up trophy in the Utah 8-player division.