‘Canes Win Second in a Row

The ‘Canes improved their record to 2-1 last Friday when they defeated the Hancock Central Bulldogs, 21-6. The Bulldogs hurt themselves by committing 18 penalties, however the ‘Canes committed nine themselves.

It’s the first time the ‘Canes have begun a season 2-1 since 2005 when they lost to Apalachee, then had back-to-back wins over Social Circle and Callaway.

Last Friday, the Bulldogs won the toss and took possession of the kickoff on their own 35 yard line. Four plays later nose man Brandon Barger broke through the Bulldog offensive line and knocked the ball loose, which linebacker A. J. Thomas promptly picked up and galloped 50 yards for a touchdown (TD). Place kicker Erik Enrique kicked the extra point (EP) and ‘Canes led 7-0 without having run an offensive play.
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With just over two minutes elapsed in the game, Dee Chapman kicked off again, and Mitchell Bishop made the tackle on the Bulldog 22.

The ‘Cane defense held, forced a punt and took possession on its own 47. After getting a first down on the Bulldog 35, RaMardo Stewart carried to their 36, then Joe Standifer bulled his way for 19 yards to their seven.

On the next play Quarterback Keldrick Davis called his own number and scampered left for a TD. Enrique added the EP and the ‘Canes led 14-0 with 3:57 remaining in the first half.

After the ‘Cane kickoff the Bulldogs were once again forced to punt from their own 47. The ‘Canes took possession on their own 25. Four plays later and after Standifer broke a run for 27 yards, it was first and 10 on the Bulldogs 26, but the ‘Cane threat was halted by an offsides and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty which backed them up to their own 40 yard line where they were forced to punt.

The Bulldogs took over on their own 12, but after a third down pass attempt was broken up by Stewart, they were once again forced to punt.

The ‘Cane’s offense fell flat and they were forced to punt the ball right back. After downing the punt on their own 39, the Bulldogs put together their best drive of the game, but once again were forced to punt into the ‘Cane end zone just as the first half came to a close.

Stewart took the second half kickoff and returned it out to the 45 yard line. Even though the ‘Canes had themselves in good field position, six plays later they were forced to punt due to two penalties which stopped their drive.

Dee Chapman’s punt was downed on the Bulldog 18 yard line. After picking up one first down the Bulldogs had to punt and the ‘Canes were back on offense on their own 33.
On their first play the “Canes fumbled the ball over for their first turnover of the game and the Bulldogs were back in business on the ‘Cane 33.

However, on their third snap the Bulldogs returned the favor when they fumbled, and Thomas made his second recovery of the game.

After eight plays the ‘Canes gave up the ball on an unsuccessful fourth down attempt and the Bulldogs took over on their own 33.

On an ensuing third down play Barger broke through and stood the Bulldog fullback up in the backfield to force another obvious punt. But in desperation, the Bulldogs faked the punt and ran the ball down to the ‘Cane 48 yard line for a first down. Two plays later they committed their third turnover by fumbling the ball, which Justin VanHorn recovered.

The Bulldogs were also assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the play which gave the ‘Canes good field position on their 40 yard line.

The ‘Canes took advantage of the turnover and penalty, and with good blocking from the offensive line and tough running by Standifer moved the ball to the four yard line, where Standifer crashed over for a TD. Enrique kicked the EP and the ‘Canes put the game on ice leading 21-0.

The Bulldogs then took to the air, but with key defensive pass plays by Corner backs Stewart and Juvenal Bermudez, it was to no avail.

After numerous substitutions by the ‘Canes the Bulldogs did finally score a TD, missed the two point conversion attempt and trailed 21-6 with 26 seconds left on the clock.
The ‘Canes took the ensuing kickoff, took a knee on the first play, and watched the clock tick off their victory.
Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Jimmy Hughes said, “I wish our bye week had come at a different time because we weren’t able to carry the momentum over from the Pike County game two weeks ago. Consequently, we didn’t play as well as we could have.

“There were too many penalties, mishandling of the ball and missed tackles. But we won, and that’s the important part.”
The ‘Canes are scheduled to play their first region game this Friday at home versus Southwest Macon, who defeated the ‘Canes 49-20 last year. They come into the game with a current year record of 2-2. Coach Hughes said, “They graduated about 25 or 30 seniors last year, but they still dress out 60 to 70 players. They’re very athletic, fast and well coached. We’ll try to get back to the level where we were before last week. Last year our kids might have felt physically outmatched, but they don’t feel that way anymore.”

THE JV GAME with Social Circle was canceled last week due to their field being under water. They are scheduled to play Pike County at home today at 5 p.m.

The MS ‘Canes picked up their first win of the season on Sept. 23 when they defeated Social Circle 14-8. They were scheduled to travel to Morgan County yesterday.

VARSITY STATS
Monticello Vs
Hancock Central
Offense
PASSING
Attempts Comp. Yards
K Davis 2 1 1
RECEIVING
Catches Yards
Rooks 1 1
RUSHING
Carries Yard TD
J. Standifer 20 139 1
R. Stewart 5 24
K. Davis 5 25 1
Defense
Tackles For Loss/Fumble Rec. TD
A. J. Thomas 8 2 2 1
J. Standifer 4 1
Dee Chapman 4
B. Edwards 4
R. Stewart 4
PENALTIES
Monticello 9 for 80 yards
Hancock 18 for 150 yards
FIRST DOWNS
Monticello 8, Hancock 7
Hancock Central
Rushing Yards—77
Passing Yards—151
Total—228
Monticello
Rushing Yards—207
Passing Yards— 1
Total—208