Montezuma scored on its first play from scrimmage – and on quite a few more – on its way to a 59-14 win over Melcher-Dallas on Friday evening, Sept. 16, at Badger-Gabriel Field.
The Braves scored 27 first quarter points and led 46-0 at halftime against the Saints, who have just 16 rostered players, of which 12 were dressed for action on Friday.
Quarterback Owen Cook threw a long touchdown pass to wide receiver Garrett Watts just nine seconds into the game to get the scoring started.
“The boys came out ready to go,” said Braves Coach John Beck. “They were locked in from the start . . .and we needed a game like that.”
It was Montezuma’s homecoming game, and the biggest challenge the Braves’ coaching staff had was getting everyone into the game to play in front of a large crowd on a gorgeous early fall evening.
“I felt we came out a little flat last week (against BGM) and we needed to address that to start this game,” Beck said.
Cook was five-for-seven passing for 206 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for a touchdown.
Alex Black caught two passes for 90 yards and one Braves touchdown.
Running back Brett Plants rushed 10 times for 97 yards and two scores,
Linebacker Brady Ogan led the Montezuma defense with 8.0 tackles.
Freshman quarterback Luke Brennan saw action and completed four of five passes for 75 yards and a touchdown.
“We were able to get the ball to a lot of guys and score pretty quickly,” Beck said. “Our guys up front controlled the line of scrimmage. There was a focus on driving our knees and running on our reach blocks this week and I believe they improved in that category.”
Seven Braves caught passes. “The wide receivers did a great job going and getting the ball as well as blocking,” Beck said.
“Owen (Cook) made some really good decisions on throws. Our running backs saw the holes and hit them hard,” said the coach.
“Defensively, our intensity in the second half of last week’s game continued,” Beck said. “We were able to hold them without a first down for most of the game.”
“Our secondary had guys flying around and making good plays on the ball, but they also came up and helped in the run game,” Beck added.
“Our linebackers read their keys well and were able to get to the ball and make plays. And our defensive linemen continued to dominate the line of scrimmage,” Beck said.
A total of 15 Braves were credited with making at least one tackle in the game.
Montezuma took its record to 4-1 overall, which includes 3-0 in district play.
Melcher-Dallas fell to 1-3 overall, and 0-2 in the district.
UP NEXT – Montezuma is at Southeast Warren on Friday, Sept. 23.