Photos and report by Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey.
On Friday, September 22, 2023, the weather forecast threatened rain; the Monmouth-Roseville Titans owned a 3-1 season record; they were celebrating their Homecoming. So, the long trek to Monmouth, IL, filled many Mustang fans with questions of what the evening may offer.
By game time the sun was shining with a 15% chance of rain forecasted, and the Mustangs made it clear early that the outcome would not be in doubt. The defense stopped the Titans’ opening possession. The offense used most of the quarter to march 77 yards, before Nate Anderson scored from the 4-yard line, to take a 6-0 lead. Again, the defense forced a three-and-out, and the Mustang offense marched into the second quarter with the ball.
Seven plays into the possession, Chase Newman scored from the 6-yard line, followed by a two-point conversion pass from Colton Bielema to Carson Strating. The Mustangs took a commanding 14-0 advantage with 8:30 left in the first half. Another defensive stand forced a punt that Daeshaun McQueen fielded on the 8-yard line. He used his shifty skills to scamper 92 yards into the end zone, only to have the touchdown nullified by a holding penalty near mid-field. The offense needed only five snaps to find the end zone again. Carson Strating bullied his way for 39 yards, and Brady Anderson swept the end for a 25-yard score, and the halftime score was established at 21-0. The end zone had been crossed four times by the Mustang offense, but the defense deserved the first-half credits. The Titans were only allowed 37 yards on the ground and 10-yards in the air. Their Homecoming game was destined to be tarnished by the Mustangs.
The second half was a highlight film for the Mustang fans! All three possessions of the third quarter ended in scoring plays, which delight the average Friday night football fan. The first possession ended with a 38-yard Brady Anderson run, followed by a Josh McDearmon extra-point kick to up the score to 27-0. The second score was a 56-yard punt return by Carson Strating. He refused to give in to the Titan tacklers and dove into the end zone, dragging a defender.
The final period opened with a Mustang drive that ended with a 41-yard end run by Rylan Alvarado. The evening left little for the Titans to celebrate. They generated a 61-yard scoring drive,to get on the scoreboard with 4:59 left in the game. They also recovered a Mustang fumble and scored again, a minute later, to establish the final 41-12 score.
The Mustang defense held the Titan offense to 121 yards rushing. The offense galloped the gridiron for over 360 yards–headed by Carson Strating (176), Brady Anderson (106), and Rylan Alvarado (52.)
The Mustangs will return home for their Homecoming Celebration against the Sherrard, IL, Tigers on Friday, September 29.
