One last game for the Sages | sport

Sports editor Matt Daniels cancels the match between Monticello and Montini

Scouting report

(9) Montini (11-2) vs. (6) Monticello (11-2) 4 p.m., Friday

➜ What you should see: If Monticello can become the second public school team to defeat Montini in the 3A playoffs this decade. Granted, that’s only a seven-game sample size, as Montini didn’t reach the postseason in either 2021 or 2022 and didn’t become a 3A playoff team until 2023. But since the Broncos, who have won six state championships since 2004 and three state championship runners-up in the same span, have declined in enrollment, only state champions have beaten them in the playoffs. Monticello would fit that bill if the Sages can pull out a win on Friday night. Byron defeated Montini 26-20 in the state quarterfinals a year ago, en route to Byron’s state title. However, Montini got revenge against Byron in the second round of the playoffs with a hard-fought 14-13 victory. Ike Young gets the Monticello offense going, with the Sages quarterback completing 69 percent of his passes for 3,184 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He is also Monticello’s leading rusher with 1,106 yards on 205 carries and 22 touchdowns. Carter Foran has 107 receptions for 1,739 yards and 20 TDs, with Nolan Buehnerkemper (78 catches for 876 yards, 5 touchdowns) and Russ Brown (30 catches for 292 yards, 1 TD) also reliable targets in the coach Cully Welter‘s creative offensive scheme. Also crucial is how well the Monticello defensive line handles an aggressive, physical Montini offensive line that is bigger than what the Sages will field opposite them. Montini quarterback Israel Abrams is correct as he completed 124 of 194 passes for 1,778 yards, 24 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Santino Florio (52 catches for 605 yards, 9 TDs) and CJ Harkins (34 catches for 582 yards, 9 TDs) are his two best options. When Abrams actually hands the ball off, he runs back Jeremiah Peterson (861 rushing yards on 128 carries, 12 TDs) can wreak havoc on opposing defenses.

➜ Who wins: Monticello, 26-20. The Sages are 1-0 in state championship games under Welter, who is 4-2 all-time in state championship games. That has to count for something, right? Way in a near.

Starting lineups

Meet the wise men

Here’s who is expected to start for 16-year Monticello coach Cully Welter on Friday:

ATTACK

No. Item Name Ht. Weight year

3 QB Ike Young 6-3 180 Sr.

24 RB Koyie Williams 5-8 155 Jr.

6 WR Carter Foran 5-8 140 Sr.

5 WR Nolan Buehnerkemper 6-0 175 Jr.

2 WR Heyden Romano 6-0 155 Jr.

9 TE Russ Brown 6-1 190 Sr.

59 LT Trey Leynes 5-11 200 Sr.

52 LG Keagan Greenarch 5-9 185 Jr.

76 C Brody Billedo 6-2 180 Sr.

50 RG Sam Burse 5-11 240 Sr.

78 RT Mason High 6-2 250 Sr.

DEFENSE

No. Item Name Ht. Weight year

8 DE Jack Helms 6-4 170 Sr.

99 DE Ryan Frazee 5-8 180 Sr.

77 DT Carter Koopman 6-3 195 Sr.

78 DT Mason High 6-2 250 Sr.

11 LB Hunter Romano 6-0 190 Sr.

2 LB Heyden Romano 6-0 155 Jr.

24 LB Koyie Williams 5-8 155 Jr.

6 CB Carter Foran 5-8 140 Sr.

4 CB Zeke Young 5-8 125 So.

3 FS Ike Young 6-3 180 Sr.

5 SS Nolan Buehnerkemper 6-0 175 Jr.

Meet the Broncos

Here’s who is expected to start Friday for seventh-year Montini coach Mike Bukovsky:

ATTACK

No. Item Name Ht. Weight year

7 QB Israel Abrams 6-3 190 So.

6 RB Jeremiah Peterson 5-11 220 Sr.

3 RB JoJo James 6-0 185 Sr.

13 WR CJ Harkins 6-2 180 Jr.

1 WR Santino Florio 5-7 145 Sr.

2 WR Isaiah Mason 6-2 210 Sr.

70 LT JC Hayes 6-2 270 Sr.

55 LG Ty Haney 6-0 230 Sr.

56 C Luke Jezyk 5-11 225 Sr.

51 RG Dario Mattiuz 6-1 225 Sr.

71 RT Angelo DeSensi 6-5 245 Jr.

DEFENSE

No. Item Name Ht. Weight year

8 DT Nicky Castaldo 6-2 235 Sr.

70 DT JC Hayes 6-2 270 Sr.

52 NG Douglas Mateo 6-3 325 Sr.

10 LB Matteo Barrett 5-11 205 Sr.

32 LB Santino Tenuta 5-9 185 Jr.

41 LB Jaxon Lane 5-11 210 Sr.

5 DB Max Bell 6-0 180 Sr.

9 DB Nick Irion 6-1 190 Sr.

11 DB Vince Irion 6-0 190 Sr.

12 DB Sean Hubeny 6-0 180 Sr.

28 DB Isaac Alexander 5-11 200 Jr.