MONTICELLO, Ark. – The Monticello Billies kicked off their 2024 8-4A Conference campaign with a thrilling 35-32 victory over the Hamburg Lions on Friday night.
Monticello running back Joseph Accelus opened the scoring with 9:10 to go in the first quarter, breaking loose for a 28-yard touchdown. Initially appearing to be down after landing on a Hamburg defender, Accelus made a heads-up play, realizing he hadn’t touched the ground, and sprinted to the end zone. Joseph Rojas added the extra point, giving Monticello an early 7-0 lead.
With only nine seconds remaining in the first quarter, quarterback Tye Guthrie connected with Jaxon Rawls for a 28-yard touchdown pass. Rojas’s extra point was good, and the Billies took a commanding 14-0 lead into the second quarter.
Hamburg responded with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Sexton Brooks to Ke’ovion Brown midway through the second quarter. After Alberto Aguilar’s extra point, the Lions cut the lead to 14-7. Aguilar added a 32-yard field goal with 1:36 left in the half, leaving Monticello with a slim 14-10 lead at halftime.
In the third quarter, Monticello widened the gap with a 4-yard rushing touchdown by Jayden Rhodes at the 6:40 mark. Rojas tacked on the extra point, making it 21-10. Hamburg kept it close, answering with a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Nikel Lewis with 3:30 left in the third. Aguilar’s extra point brought the score to 21-17.
Early in the fourth, Accelus found the end zone again on a 1-yard rush, extending Monticello’s lead to 28-17 after another successful kick by Rojas. However, Hamburg fought back as Lewis added a 3-yard rushing touchdown and a successful 2-point conversion to cut the lead to 28-25.
With under 4:30 to go, Guthrie dashed for an 18-yard touchdown, giving Monticello breathing room at 35-25 after Rojas’s extra point. Hamburg answered immediately, as Brooks launched a 67-yard touchdown pass to Lewis with 3:59 remaining. Aguilar’s extra point brought the score to 35-32, but Monticello held on for the victory.
With the win, Monticello improves to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play. They will travel to Warren next week for the highly anticipated Union Bank and Trust Saline River Shootout. Hamburg, now 3-1 overall and 0-1 in conference, will look to bounce back at home next Friday when they host Central (Helena).
