Like the Minnesota Vikings made Tottenham Hotspur Stadium their home over the weekend, the Monticello Magic football team made TCO Stadium in Eagan theirs. Park Center met Monticello at TCO Stadium and after eating lunch together, the Magic served some just desserts.
Before the game, Monticello got to take a tour of the Vikings Museum just as the defense has left opposing offenses in the past we well.
“We have a really nice mix of experience and fundamentally strong players,” said Head Coach Andy Pierskalla. “We tackle well and we have some key guys who have played a lot of football for us. We have some good talent and some newcomers who have stepped up for us.”
After 48 minutes, Monticello left the stadium with a 36-0 win. It was their fourth win in a row and the third time they’ve kept the opponent off the scoreboard over that time. Since losing to Alexandria on Sept. 6, the defense has allowed just one touchdown.
A strong defense, a powerful rushing attack and elite special teams play have been the recipe for success.
All three phases are playing well and giving the Magic the edge. Eight different players recorded a carry as the team ran for 282 yards and four scores. The defense had three sacks, forced two fumbles and picked off two passes. Junior Cole Mueller returned a kickoff 49 yards and senior Max Chard was 5-for-5 on extra points.
A big play set the tone early and Monticello never gave the momentum back.
Senior Brock Holthaus lined out wide right just inside the numbers, ran a vertical route and sophomore QB Carson Deibele floated a rainbow into his hands inside of the end zone for a 31-yard score in the first quarter.
After the defense recovered a fumble, the offense turned the turnover into points. Sophomore Cale Holthaus took a handoff from a yard out, giving Monticello a 14-0 lead.
Another fumble turned into points before the end of the first half. Senior Andrew Matuska recovered the loose ball and one play later, Cale Holthaus made a house call with a 38-yard rushing TD.
Mueller added to the lead with two rushing touchdowns in the third quarter, one from 10 and another from nine yards out. Junior Garett Bauer had a two-point conversion on the first touchdown.
An interception by senior Ethan Willmert in the fourth was the cherry on top of the 36-0 victory sundae Monticello enjoyed last Friday.
Cale Holthaus popped off for 140 yards on the ground. Brock Holthaus was second with 35. Junior Brock Sipe (28 rushing yards), Mueller (27), senior Luke Emmerich (20), Bauer (17), junior Cole Wipper (11) and sophomore Dane Sawatzke (6).
Deibele completed three passes for 46 yards and Emmerich had an 11-yard completion.
Willmert showcased his nose for the football with 14 tackles (nine solo). Bauer added 10 tackles (eight solo). Sophomore Jeron Schlangen also had an interception. Junior Trevor Bodell was credited with two sacks and two forced fumbles. Senior Eli Pietig took down the quarterback as well for a sack.
There are a lot of talented players on defense at all levels. Emmerich and Brock Holthaus at safety, Willmert and Pietig at the second level and guys like Bodell and junior Will Kuhn up front.
After a slow 0-2 start, the red and black have caught stride and are playing well. When all three facets of the game are locked in like they are, Monticello is a tough team to beat.
Their reward is a big contest on Thursday at Spring Lake Park. If Monticello emerges victorious, they will clinch a district championship and the top seed in the Section 6-5A playoffs.
Playing at home would be a massive boost for Monticello as they attempt to advance to the state tournament for the first time in 36 years.
On Wednesday, Oct. 16, Monticello caps the regular season with a home game against Cambridge-Isanti. And then the real fun begins.
Local News
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