Bucks avenge loss in quarterfinals

by Bill Boyle
San Juan Record Editor
The Monticello High School football team went on the road against a higher-seeded opponent and avenged a heartbreaking loss to advance to the state semifinal game.
The Buckaroos earned a lopsided 43-24 victory over the Altamont Longhorns on October 31
The sixth-seeded Buckaroos defeated the third-seeded Longhorns with a dominating effort on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
Monticello showed a balanced offensive attack, particularly in the first half. Monticello ran the ball 20 times in the half, with Landon Shumway rushing for two touchdowns and quarterback Jackson Keyes carrying the ball four times for 47 yards.
Keyes passed 19 times in the half, with nine completions to five different receivers.
The Buckaroos scored twice on Shumway runs and had a two-point conversion on a pass from Keyes to Tommy Morrison to build a 16-0 lead midway through the second quarter.
The Buckaroo defense was successful in holding the high-powered Longhorn offense at bay in the first half. Altamont had averaged more than 42 points a game during the regular season, but it was midway through the second quarter before the Longhorns had earned their first first down.
A ten-yard touchdown pass gave Altamont their first points with 2:35 remaining in the half.
Monticello made a statement by scoring in the final seconds of the half to build the lead to 22-6.
Key plays were a 52-yard pass on fourth down from Keyes to Trisdan Burtenshaw, and a 12-yard touchdown pass from Keyes to Jaeden Camacho.
In the second half, Morrison intercepted a Longhorn pass and the Buckaroos were able to take advantage of the turnover.
Keyes completed five of six passes on the scoring drive, capped by a seven-yard touchdown pass from Keyes to Cash Mack. Cache Young completed a pass to Burtenshaw for the two-point conversion and the route was on, 30-6.
Monticello scored again on a long drive, with Keyes completing five of seven passes, including a 13-yard scoring strike to Kord Young.
Altamont scored three times in the fourth quarter to close the gap but a final touchdown pass from Keyes to Morrison closed out the scoring and a 43-24 win.
Keyes completed 21 of 34 passes for 277 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran the ball seven times for 52 yards.
Shumway carried the ball 19 times for 99 yards and two touchdowns, while Camacho carried the ball once for 14 yards.
Leading receiver was Mack, with seven catches for 46 yards and a touchdown, while Morrison, Cache Young and Camacho each caught four passes. Burtenshaw had two catches while Kord Young caught one pass for a 14-yard touchdown.
Defensively, the Buckaroos shut down the Altamont offense with an impressive team effort. Morrison had an intereption.
The Buckaroos advance to the state semifinal at Southern Utah University in Cedar City. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. against the Milford Tigers. The game will be broadcast at 92.7 FM by Redrock92.