Buckaroos improve to 5-1 with win

by David Boyle
News Director
The Monticello Buckaroos earned a 39-16 road victory over Altamont on September 25. The win puts Monticello’s record at 5-1 on the season with three games remaining on the schedule.
Monticello got to work right away against Altamont. The Buckaroos started their opening drive at their own 26 yard line with Cache Young passing to Brandt Mack for a 23 yard gain. On the next play Young found Cash Mack near the sideline with Mack turning upfield and racing 51 yards for a touchdown. 
Speaking after the game senior Tristan Burtenshaw said the offensive front prides itself on giving their quarterback time to throw and also establishing the run.
“We just had to keep that block going, keep my feet moving. Just had to make the opportunity so he could complete it. We have a great team. Couldn’t do it without senior center Zamian Lopez. He’s great. Always moving, always energetic. Just a great time down there. Never a bad moment with him.”
That chemistry goes both ways with Lopez sharing his trust in his fellow senior lineman.
“Burtenshaw is a freak. I don’t even have to worry about him. I know he’s got his guy. He has his task. He take care of the business on the line and I can always count on him. If I need him help with the nose guard, I know he’s there. He’s strong, fast, and I feel like he’s a big part of our team and especially on the line.”
John Leber would add the point after kick for Monticello putting them up 7-0 less than a minute into the game.
Monticello’s defense was on the field for just seven plays giving up one first down but stopping Altamont on a fourth down conversion attempt to give Monticello the ball at the 50-yard line.
The Buckaroo run game got to work with Miles Coleman picking up 22 yards over four plays that set up a 37-yard touchdown pass from Young to Burtenshaw. After the game Burtenshaw shared he loves playing in the fullback position.
“It was a really simple play. Just kind of slipped out to the side, was able to get a free pocket, got into it, caught the ball, and scored a touchdown. Pretty simple.”
Leber added another kick to make the score 14-0 with 4:45 left in the 1st quarter.
On the ensuring kickoff Brandt Mack forced a fumble which was recovered by Monticello at the Altamont 33 yard line.
Six plays later Monticello would score again with a 14 yard touchdown pass from Young to Cash Mack with the point after no good Monticello took a 20-0 lead with two minutes left in the first quarter.
The Buckaroos offensive output was especially impressive facing a larger Altamont team. Lopez noted it was a particular challenge with their nose guard getting a running start. “The challenge for me was trying to take these big hits while getting a little bit stunned and trying to keep my feet moving. But we’ve got to protect Cache and get those holes open for Miles and John.”
Altamont’s next drive only lasted four plays with the Buckaroos pushing the Longhorns backwards with Burtenshaw and other Bucks getting into Altamont’s backfield to cause havoc.
“They’re all super big, super big boys, strong. We just had to use our speed, get past them, be able to make the tackle, get in that pocket, see what he’s doing.”
A fumbled snap on fourth down set up Monticello’s next drive at the Altamont 40-yard line.
Two plays into the drive Miles Coleman ran the ball down the middle of the defense 33 yards for a touchdown to put Monticello up 26-0 with 11 minutes left in the first half.
Lopez shared plays like that feel like personal accomplishments.
“The line helped me spread them out so we can get that hole going. I just feel like it’s really good when we do those stuff because we get yards and even a touchdown at best.”
Altamont’s offense got going on its next drive starting at the 36 yard line the Longhorns moved the ball down the field in five plays including a 40 yard completion to the six yard line.
Facing a first and goal Monticello’s defense made a big play with Bryson Adair intercepting the Altamont pass and returning it 95 yards to give Monticello a 32-0 lead with 8 minutes left in the first half.
Altamont once again saw some good things from its offense picking up four first downs on a 12 play drive but Monticello’s defense again made a big play with JJ Atwood tackling the quarterback who threw it away with Damon Bunker grabbing the ball out of the air and racing 65 yards for another interception returned for a touchdown.
Leber added the point after kick to make the score 39-0 and trigger a mercy-rule running clock for the remainder of the game.
Altamont would score eight points just before halftime and add another eight points in the third quarter, Adair would also grab another interception in the second half and the final score favored Monticello 39-16.
Monticello’s offense was more balanced this week, an emphasis of Coach Reed Anderson.
Young completed all five pass attempts for 133 yards and three touchdowns.
Cash Mack had three catches for 74 yards and two touchdowns, Brandt Mack had one catch for 22 yards and Burtenshaw had one catch for 37 yards and a touchdown.
On the ground Coleman had 92 yards on 14 runs, while Leber had 29 yards on five carries.
On defense Adair led the team with 17 tackles, while Leber, Burtenshaw, Atwood, Lucas Morrison and Mikell Shumway had five tackles each.
Brandt Mack had the forced fumble and recovery. Adair had two interceptions and Bunker had an interception as well.
Lopez said the night felt like a team win.
“I feel like the whole team on defense and offense. We all did our task. Everybody did their jobs, it wasn’t just one specific player. I feel like everyone did everything.
“They put their heart out, especially shout out to the JV, they got some stops. I just feel like the whole team gets the shoutout because we all worked hard for it.”
Monticello is next at home for two weeks starting with a big matchup against last year’s runner-ups the Milford Tigers.
Kickoff is at 7:00 pm on Friday, October 2. If you can’t make the game you can catch it on StreamUtah.Live and 92.7 FM.