MONTEZUMA – The Montezuma Braves exploited their speed at wide-out in a 56-14 catch-and-run win over BGM on Friday evening, Oct. 30, in a third-round Class 8 playoff game at Badger-Gabriel Field.
Two of Montezuma’s first three offensive plays were touchdown strikes, a 73-yard bomb from Eddie Burgess to Cole Watts, and a 64-yard Burgess to Trey Shearer touchdown play.
The Braves led 15-0 after one quarter, then put up 26 points in the second quarter to lead 41-7. It was 56-7 through three periods.
The win sends 9-0 Montezuma against 9-1 Easton Valley next Friday night. Easton Valley put a 55-0 shot on previously unbeaten Gladbrook-Reinbeck in their third round contest in Gladbrook.
The Iowa High School Athletic Assocation Saturday morning confirmed that Montezuma will be at home for the Easton Valley game.
BGM was able to gain some yardage, but was not able to finish drives with points against the Braves’ defense. The Bears scored in the first half after they converted an intercepted pass into a touchdown, and late in the ballgame when they returned a Braves’ fumble for a score.
BGM’s defense was not able to get consistent pressure against Burgess, allowing Braves wide-outs Cole Watts and Trey Shearer to run free in the secondary.
Watts caught Burgess passes of 73, 48 and 33 yards for touchdowns. Shearer caught Burgess throws for 64, 11 and 11 yards for scores. Burgess was 16-for-26 through the air for 314 yards.
Burgess also scored touchdowns on runs of 46 and 19 yards.
Stats vs. BGM
Passing – Eddie Burgess was 16-26 for 314 yards, with six touchdowns and one interception.
Rushing – Burgess 4-83 and two touchdowns; Trey Shearer 2-(-9), Brady Ogan 3-(-15).
Receiving – Cole Watts 6-171 and three touchdowns; Trey Shearer 9-130 and three touchdowns; Joey Kercheval 1-13.
Tackles – Eddie Burgess 7.0 with 1.5 for loss; Masin Shearer 6.0, Connor Van Zee 5.0, Joey Kercheval 5.0, Brian Diaz 5.0, Tod Geiger 4.5 with 1.5 for loss; Cole Watts 3.0, Tyler Vanderford 2.5, Camden Michalek 2.0 with 1.5 for loss; Matt Karadios 2.0 with 1.5 for loss; Brady Ogan 1.0 with 2.0 for loss; Cruz DeJong 1.0, Garrett Watts 0.5, Landon Morrison 0.5 with 1.0 for loss; Keaton Stockoe 0.5, Owen cook 0.5 with 1.0 for loss.
Fumble recoveries/yards returned – Masin Shearer 1-2, Joey Kercheval 1-0.
Kickoff returns – Trey Shearer 2-0.
Punt returns – Brady Ogan 1-2.
Kicks – Owen Cook 9 kickoffs, 4 touchbacks, 359 yards. PAT’s – 2-4.
Punts – Trey Shearer 1-29.
Two-point conversions – Cole Watts 1, Trey Shearer 1, Joey Kercheval 1.
COME BACK TO THIS WEBSITE – Later in the weekend for more details, and comments from Montezuma Coach Pat O’Brien.