Lamar Overpowers ‘Canes to End Season
There is no Burger King in Jasper County, but that didn’t stop the Lamar County Trojans from having it their way against the varsity ‘Canes at frigid Rose Bowl field last Friday.
The Canes “served up” fumbles, interceptions, and costly penalties to go down by a whopper of a score, 55-20.
It only took eight seconds for the Trojans to capitalize on a fumbled kick-off catch that rolled into the Monticello end zone for a quick 7-0 lead. The Canes started on their own 28 yard line where junior running back A.J. Thomas quickly carried the entire Trojan defense on his back for an 11-yard gain. Two Monticello penalties ended the drive on the Canes 44 followed by a short punt that gave the Trojans the ball on the Canes 48.
Three plays later the visitors found the end zone and combined with a ‘Canes fumble on the next kick-off enjoyed a 21-0 lead with 3:20 left in the first quarter. The Monticello offense briefly came to life on their next possession, but a run to the short side on fourth down was stopped by the impressive Trojan defense at the Lamar 35.
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The ‘Canes Billy Edwards gave the home town crowd something to cheer about by getting a tackle in the Trojan backfield as the 1st quarter came to an end.
Monticello forced Lamar to punt to begin the 2nd quarter, but a loss, incomplete pass and penalty soon had the Canes in a 3rd and 19 hole. Chris Thomas then cut through the Lamar defenders for a 41 yard run to the Lamar 35.
The next play S. Rooks got unleashed around the left side to take the ball to the Lamar 25. A McMichael pass to A.J. Thomas put the ball on the Lamar 16 where the drive stalled out on a 4th and 4. Two long passes by Lamar put the ball on the Monticello 42 where a quick kick by the Trojans buried the Canes at their own 5 yard line.
However, after a short gain up the middle, McMichael found Adrian Campbell on their favorite route and Campbell put it on afterburners out-racing the defenders for an 89 yard TD. Enrique added the XP for the Canes to cut the score to 21-7 with 2:25 left in the half. However, that was time for Lamar to complete two long passes, one a replay of the questionable reception in the end zone at the Pike County game, to pad the Trojan’s lead to 28-7 at the half.
The only score in the 3rd quarter came early as Lamar received the kick-off and quickly threw a short pass that turned into a long scamper to the end zone and a 35-7 lead.
Mistakes by both teams turned the ball back over several times to the other side with Deonte Norwood eventually recovering a Trojan fumble in the Monticello end zone giving the Canes the ball on its own 20. McMichael and Campbell again combined for a 66 yard gain as the horn blew the end of the quarter.
Both team’s offenses came alive in the fourth quarter. Monticello wasted no time in getting a TD with C. Thomas taking it in from the one to make the score 35-14. Lamar answered with another long run by their quarterback to bring it to 41-14.
Sadarius Rooks who has been “Mr. Excitement” for the Canes all season took the kick-off on his own 17 and rambled 35 yards to the Lamar 48. Another fumble by the Canes set up a Trojan long run to increase their lead to 48-14.
Monticello answered with a McMichael to Campbell slant pass for a 56 yard TD leaving McMichael with an impressive 993 yards for his first full year as QB. The Trojans completed the night’s scoring fest with a 76 yard TD pass to bring the final score, Lamar 55-Monticello 20.
Coach Roberts’ comments and game stats are not included this week due to an early printing deadline.
A complete recap of the Monticello football year and a look into the future will be in next week’s Monticello News.