MHS shines in debut

Despite losing all but two of its starters from last year’s team that advanced to the state semifinals, Monticello looked like it never missed a beat in its 38-7 season-opening win over rival Albemarle.
The offense excelled, as C.J. Page led the ground attack with 151 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns. The Mustangs’ passing game was also effective with Tyler Moneymaker calling the
signals for the first time. Moneymaker’s first pass was intercepted by Albemarle’s Keanon Brown, which led to the Patriots’ lone touchdown, but the quarterback finished 10 of 17 in the air for 156 yards with a touchdown. His longest pass of the night came on a 33-yard touchdown play to Thomas Estepp.
“The guys up front did an awesome job,” said Monticello coach Brud Bicknell, who is in his 12th season at the school. “I think it gave us some confidence being able to run the ball effectively, and that opened up the pass game.”
In addition to Page, a host of other ball carriers saw action. The Mustangs amassed 255 rushing yards in the win. Moneymaker rushed for 43 yards, Jesse Ayers toted the ball five times for 35 yards and a touchdown, and Aaron DiGregorio and Nathan Valadez rushed for 13 and 12 yards, respectively.
Making a statement
Monticello’s defense was not to be outdone by the offense. The Mustangs recorded three interceptions on the night, all of which led to touchdowns.
Senior E.J. Johnson had two picks, one in the second quarter and another in the third on a fourth-and-goal play.
“The second one was really an instinctive play,” said Bicknell of Johnson. “He broke on the ball great and I’m really happy for him. Hopefully he’ll continue to do those kinds of things.
“Once we figured out some angles and everything after [Albemarle’s] early drive that they scored on, the guys stepped up and played pretty well.”
Aaron DiGregorio had the other interception for Monticello. It came late in the game and set up the Mustangs’ final TD. Monticello held the Patriots to 133 total yards of offense.
“The win means a lot because everybody’s been doubting us since the season started,” Johnson said. “We just had to show them tonight that our defense is back. We had to get new people and just show them how to do their positions, but we got it straight.”
Defense key for Warriors’ success
Western Albemarle has gotten off to a fast start this season, outscoring its opponents 72-9 in its first two games. One of the major reasons for the Warriors early success has been the play of the de-fense, which has given up one offensive touchdown in the past eight quarters of play — that score came in the closing seconds of a win over Turner Ashby.
“I’m very proud of our defense,” said Western coach Ed Pierce, “most of the time, these guys are lin-ing up against larger opponents, but they are a physical bunch … they play with a chip on their shoul-der and as a result, they have a lot of fight in them.”
Physical is an apt description for the way the Warriors played Friday against Turner Ashby. After forcing four turnovers, applying constant pressure on the Knights’ quarterback and delivering big hit after big hit, the Western defense was an intimidating force.
Comeback kids
Louisa County won its season opener against Eastern View in thrilling fashion on Friday.
Trailing by one with five seconds to play, Elijah Payne connected on a 23-yard field goal to secure the 23-21 win for the Lions. Payne had missed two extra points earlier.
Louisa jumped out to a 14-7 first-quarter lead behind a 60-yard kickoff return from C.J. Lambert and a 5-yard TD run from Dillon Hollins. The quarterback also rushed for another score from one yard out and passed for 104 yards.
Glen Cosby paced the Lions’ running game with 109 yards on 19 carries.
Louisa plays Spotsylvania in its home opener on Friday.
Ground game gets
it done
Buckingham’s Maurice Taylor ran for the Knights’ two touchdowns in their win over Nelson County on Friday. The sophomore scored on runs of four and 18 yards, respectively and racked up 173 of Buckingham’s 189 yards on the ground.
Extra points…
Nick Kalinsky’s 40-yard field goal against Albemarle Friday was the longest in Monticello school history. Kalinsky was also five for five on point after attempts… Monticello’s 31-point margin of victory was its largest in its six wins over Albemarle…Monticello has now won nine straight games against Charlottesville and Albemarle County schools, dating back to a loss to Albemarle in 2006… Dom Losco did a little bit of everything for Western Albemarle in its 23-9 win over Turner Ashby on Friday. He hauled in two catches, both for touchdowns, for 111 yards receiving. Losco also rushed once for 11 yards and converted a 23-yard field goal.