Mustangs roll into final

Before Friday night, the only time this year that Monticello had trailed at halftime was against Powhatan. That game resulted in the Mustangs’ only loss of the season.

Against Briar Woods in the Group AA, Region II Division 3 semifinals, the defending state champions were determined not to let it happen again.

The Mustangs, fueled by their stifling defense, overcame a rocky start to dispatch the Falcons, 30-13.

Monticello’s defense posted a shutout in the second half, and shut down running back Ray Taliaferro, who ran for 99 yards in the first half.

“We didn’t play well in the first half – we had a lot of turnovers,” said senior Hines Banks, who ran for two touchdowns. “But it was mental, we knew we could go out and play physically. We didn’t like [trailing at halftime] at all, so we went out and played like it was the first half of a game.”

The Mustangs gave up two scores after two first-half turnovers. Briar Woods scored its first touchdown after a muffed punt gave the visitors good field position. The Falcons scored again after Michael Graham was sacked, then fumbled the ball. Andrew Davidson picked up the loose ball and rushed 40 yards to give his team a 13-10 halftime lead.

But Monticello made all the necessary halftime adjustments and came out after the break looking like a new team.

Graham gave the Mustangs the lead for good on a 34-yard scamper with 3:55 left in the third quarter.

“It was more a matter of execution than anything else,” said Monticello coach Brud Bicknell. “Our guys were disappointed in their own play at the half, and we came out and we were able to pick up some of their linebackers and used some of their aggressiveness against them.”

The defense clamped down on Taliaferro and the Falcons’ fullback, Billy McDonald, who combined for 22 second-half rushing yards. The only good drive Briar Woods had stalled after a missed field goal attempt.

The Mustangs put together a six-minute drive that spanned the third and fourth quarters to put the game away. Monticello capped the drive as Graham found Sam Roller on a beautiful 12-yard pass in the right corner.

The Mustangs tacked on another score with just under three minutes to play on a 25-yard run by Banks.

The senior tailback recorded his first 100-yard game, finishing with 107 yards on 18 carries.

Monticello will play the winner of the Handley/Millbrook game next week.