The defensive performance wasn’t what Monticello put together against Albemarle, but a series of huge offensive plays gave the Mustangs enough points to hold off a hungry — or, starving — George Wythe squad with a 40-32 victory.
The big offensive plays started with a 62-yard first quarter touchdown pass from Jhalil Mosley to Sam Patterson. Then two more big gainers, a late third quarter 60-yard touchdown run by Isaac Robinson and an 89-yard catch by T.J. Tillery early in the fourth gave Monticello the margin it needed.
George Wythe scored twice in the fourth, but couldn’t put together the equalizer with a Tillery interception on the final play at the 5-yardline as George Wythe threatened from the Mustangs’ 17 sealed it. Wythe lost its 69th straight game, a losing streak that dates back to 2004 and is the state’s longest.
Robinson put together his second straight huge outing, rushing for 197 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries at a 9.4 yard per carry clip. Mosley went 6-for-13 for 200 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for a touchdown and 19 yards.
Carl Peterson led George Wythe with 126 yards on the ground and a pair of scores while quarterback Jamar Alexander went 13-for-29 for 237 yards.
Monticello’s high-octane offense and the defense gets a unique challenge next week against former Jefferson District foe Goochland Friday. The Bulldogs and Mustangs squared off in the Region II playoffs last year with Goochland falling in heartbreaking fashion. Monticello also came from behind in its regular season win at Goochland.
