Mustangs complete JD romp

After a 42-7 win over Charlottesville on Friday night, the postseason has officially begun for the Monticello football team after an unbeaten Jefferson District season.

Khiry Washington put the first points on the board for the Mustangs when he forced a Charlottesville turnover on the opening kickoff and returned it 12 yards for the score.

“I just wanted the ball,” Washington said. “Really, all of us wanted the ball. So we just went down there and got it.”

Monticello never looked back and is looking forward to the playoffs.

“Our challenge was to get out there and execute,” said Mustangs coach Brud Bicknell. “We wanted to send a message out that we’re ready to play.”

Before getting pulled in the second half, the Mustangs’ starting offense looked sharp.

Michael Graham threw three touchdown passes to his receivers — a pair to Jacob Pelton and one to Sam Roller.

“We just worked on timing and getting things right for the playoffs,” Roller said. “The offensive line is playing a lot better. They’re giving Mike some more time and giving us, the receivers, some time to get open. Hines [Banks] is also playing well for us. He’s hitting his holes and it looks like we’re hitting our stride just in time.”

Banks had a pair of rushing touchdowns. The senior tailback ran for 65 yards on 10 carries.

First-year Charlottesville coach Chris Fraser is looking forward to the off-season.

Injuries and off-the-field issues put a damper on the Black Knights’ season, but Fraser is looking forward to next season.

“The kids have worked hard and they’re to be commended for that,” Fraser said. “We’ve got a lot of guys coming back next year and it’s a matter of our guys getting stronger. We’re still

another year or so away, but we’ve got some really good kids at the skill positions. We’re excited.”

While Charlottesville’s season is in the books, the Mustangs have a title defense ahead of them.

“It looks like we’re going to play Briar Woods out of Dulles,” Bicknell said. “We know very little about them but they’re a solid program. Their school hasn’t been around very long, but they made the playoffs last year. I’m sure they’ll be very good and I’m just glad were playing them at home.”

Having won the Group AA, Division 3 championship last year, Monticello’s biggest weakness might be overconfidence, but Bicknell’s players know that they can’t get off to any slow starts.

“We just can’t sleep on any of the teams,” Washington said. “We have a problem with just going out there and thinking we can win. We just have to go out there and play our hardest and give them nothing.”