Bucks claim 47-16 win over Bobcats

by David Boyle
News Director
Monticello cruised to a 47-16 victory over Panguitch in their home opener on August 29. The win improved Monticello to 2-0 on the season.
The game started as well as it could for the Buckaroos as on the first play from scrimmage Tommy Morrison got into the Panguitch backfield and caused a fumble that Seth Taylor recovered. Monticello’s first possession started at the 24 yard line and finished in four plays with a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jackson Keyes to Morrison. John Leber added the point after kick to give Monticello a 7-0 lead with 9:48 remaining in the opening quarter.
Monticello’s defense once again did its job forcing a quick three and out. Panguitch’s fourth down play saw the snap sail over the punters head who eventually corralled it and was rocked by Morrison with Peyton Hatathley recovering the punt at the 12 yard line.
Monticello’s offense made quick work with Keyes finding Tristan Burtenshaw for a 9-yard touchdown strike, a missed point-after left the score 13-0.
Monticello’s special teams booted a deep ball which was recovered by Panguitch at the one yard line and Burtenshaw made ended up scoring again this time by sacking the Panguitch quarterback in the end zone for a safety to make the score 15-0 with seven minutes left in the first quarter.
Monticello’s third offensive drive started at the 45-yard line and found itself within the five yard line three plays later mostly off a 25-yard run by Landon Shumway after grabbing a shovel pass from Keyes.
The Buckaroo drive stalled however and a fourth down field goal try saw a botched snap turn into a near miss pass attempt by the Buckaroos leaving the score 15-0.
With about four minutes remaining in the first quarter Monticello began playing a substantial amount of underclassmen on the defensive side of the ball. After a first down Panguitch had a big gain on a long pass play but sophomore Cash Mack was able to knock a fumble loose recovered by freshman Brandt Mack.
The underclassmen gave up just two scores to Panguitch, with Arturo Gutierrez shouting out the whole team effort after the game.
“Really all the JV coming, playing hard, and waiting in the sidelines, that was awesome.”
Starting just beyond mid-field the Buckaroo offense again made quick work with Keyes finding Morrison for a 45-yard deep ball and the second touchdown between the senior pair. Senior teammates also scored with a two-point conversion with Will “Bean” Rogers finding Hatathley in the endzone to make the score 23-0 which is how the quarter would end.
Rogers said in the post game he’s happy doing anything to help the team win.
“I'm comfortable everywhere and just in all my positions. I know I can trust all my brothers and we all just play hard.”
The Buckaroo defense gave up one first down but forced a punt at midfield with another high snap resulting in the punter being tackled at the 36-yard line by Avery Hedrick and Dalton Adams.
Monticello’s offense responded in four plays capped by a 20-yard touchdown run by Shumway with the point after no good making the score 29-0 with 9 minutes left in the first half.
Panguitch responded in five plays with a 52-yard touchdown pass and a two point conversion to make the score 29-8 with 6:30 remaining in the first half.
The Buckaroos responded with a five-play 71 yard drive capped by a six-yard Gutierrez touchdown run, making the score 35-8 with four and a half minutes left in the half.
Monticello’s defense forced a turnover on Panguitch’s first play from scrimmage with Diego Cortez pulling down an interception. Monticello’s second string offense was unable to pick up a first down and Panguitch took back over driving 62 yards on seven plays capped off with a one-yard touchdown rush as time expired in the first half. The Bobcats added the two-point conversion to make the score 35-16 at half.
Monticello’s offense picked-up where it left off in the second half. Driving the ball 69-yards in three plays including the 59-yard touchdown pass on a run-pass option from Cache Young to Gutierrez to make the score 41-16.
Gutierrez said in the postgame the play was something the team has been working on.
“The coaches had a good design on it. It's the spot route and we ran it the previous play before, but he ran it, but then the corner just broke down and Cache just made a good read in through it for us.”
Panguitch and Monticello traded possessions but a defensive stand by the Buckaroos on fourth down gave them the ball in the red zone. On Monticello’s first play of the drive Young found some room to scoot up the sideline on a quarterback run to make the count 47-16 which would hold as the final score.
Monticello’s offense gained 235 yards through the air and 130 on the ground.
The Bucks passing game was led by Keyes who completed six passes on nine attempts for 107 yards and three touchdowns.
Young completed three passes on four attempts for 78 yards and one touchdown.
Mack completed four of 10 passes for 50 yards on the day including two interceptions.
Gutierrez led the receivers pulling in three catches for 72 yards and one touchdown. Morrison had two catches for 55 yards and two touchdowns, and Rogers had two catches for 25 yards.
Six other Buckaroos had receptions including Young, Shumway, McKay Nielson, Jaxon Breedlove, Canyon Christensen and Burtenshaw’s touchdown.
Gutierrez also led the rushing attack for Monticello with 49 yards on four carries and one touchdown. Shumway ran for 43 yards on eight carries including one touchdown, and Young had 40 yards on three carries for one touchdown.
Speaking in the postgame Gutierrez added he likes playing all positions on the field as a Buckaroo utility man. “It's all fun. I just like being on the field.”
Miles Coleman, Cash Mack, Bryson Adair, Logan Bowles, Tanner Ruiz and Brandt Mack also ran the ball for Monticello.
Monticello's defense held Panguitch to 65 rush yards and 123 passing yards.
Coleman led the team defensively recording 10 tackles, while Breedlove recorded six and Ruiz, Cortez and Adams all recording five.
Adams and Christensen each had one sack, Cortez and Cash Mack each had one interception. Morrison forced two fumbles and Adams and Cash Mack each forced a fumble as well.
Speaking after the game Rogers said they’re already looking forward to their next game.
“Next week I'm looking forward to another win, but we all got to play hard, practice hard, and study film.”
Monticello’s next game is Friday September 5 at 7:00 pm in Dolores, Colorado. If you can’t make the game you can catch in on StreamUtah.Live