Sports Editor Matt Daniels breaks down the matchup between Monticello and Montini
Scouting report
(9) Montini (11-2) vs. (6) Monticello (11-2) 4 p.m., Friday
➜ What to watch: If Monticello can become the second public school team to beat Montini this decade in the 3A playoffs. Granted, that’s only a seven-game sample size since Montini didn’t reach the postseason in either 2021 or 2022 and only became a 3A playoff team in 2023. But since the Broncos, who have won six state championships since 2004 and have three state runner-up finishes in the same time span, have dipped down in enrollment, only state champions have beaten them in the playoffs. Monticello would fit that bill if the Sages can secure the win on Friday night. Byron knocked off Montini 26-20 in the state quarterfinals a year ago en route to Byron winning a state title. Montini returned the favor against Byron, though, in the second round of the playoffs with a hard-fought 14-13 win. Ike Young makes the Monticello offense go, with the Sages’ quarterback having completed 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 TDs. Carter Foran has 107 receptions for 1,739 yards and 20 TDs, with Nolan Buehnerkemper (78 catches for 876 yards, 5 TDs) and Russ Brown (30 catches for 292 yards, 1 TD) also reliable targets in coach Cully Welter’s creative offensive scheme. How well the Monticello defensive line handles an aggressive, physical Montini offensive line that is bigger than what the Sages will line up across from them is key, too. Montini quarterback Israel Abrams is accurate, having completed 124 of 194 passes for 1,778 yards, 24 TDs 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 top two options. When Abrams does hand the ball off, running back Jeremiah Peterson (861 rushing yards on 128 carries, 12 TDs) can cause chaos for 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 title games. That has to count for something, right? Sages in a close one.
Starting lineups
Meet the Sages
Here’s who will likely start for 16th-year Monticello coach Cully Welter on Friday:
OFFENSE
No. Pos. Name Ht. Wt. 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. Pos. Name Ht. Wt. 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 will likely start for seventh-year Montini coach Mike Bukovsky on Friday:
OFFENSE
No. Pos. Name Ht. Wt. 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. Pos. Name Ht. Wt. 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.
