September 7, 2009

There were so many good storylines in the game between Albemarle and Monticello it's really hard to pick just one. First, who doesn't love a good county rivalry. Second, you have the debut of a new head coach in Albemarle's Wendell Green. Then there's Monticello, which returns just two starters from last year's team that made it to the state semifinals. Plus, the Mustangs entered Friday night with a 20-game home winning streak.

It would be the Patriots (0-1) who strike first. Joe Varaksa connects with Jordan Hill on the swing pass, fought his way across the goal line for the score. Albemarle takes the early lead, 7-0.

The Mustangs (1-0) would answer. C.J. Page took the handoff and sliced up the middle for a 12-yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Monticello quarterback Tyler Moneymaker finds Thomas Estepp on a 33-yard touchdown pass. The Delivery of the Week nominee gave Monticello its first lead of the game, 14-7.

A lead the Mustangs would never relinquish.

After an E.J. Johnson interception put the Mustangs in Albemarle territory. A few plays later, Moneymaker called his own number and scampered into the endzone for another Mustang touchdown, 21-7.

More of the same for the Mustangs in the third quarter. After another E.J. Johnson interception, C.J. Page sprinted to paydirt on a 24-yard touchdown run. Monticello pouring it on, 28-7.

Monticello would add 10 more points in the fourth quarter for a 38-7 victory. Nick Kalinksky had a Mustang record 40-yard field goal and C.J. Page rushed for 151 yards and 2 scores.

The Mustangs look to be reloading rather than rebuilding. They have now won 21-consecutive home games, and are 1-for-1 on their new turf field.