Wildcats to face Monticello

The Anna-Jonesboro Community High School football team travels to Monticello for a second round Illinois High School Association Class 3A IHSA playoff game on Saturday, Nov. 3.

Game time is scheduled for 3 p.m. The game will be aired on WIBH radio in Anna.

The Sages are 10-0 and  are the top-rated team in the southern division in the Class 3A playoffs. 

Monticello defeated St. Joseph Ogden 50-7 in first-round action last Saturday. 

The Wildcats are 8-2 after a 56-28 first-round win over West Frankfort.

“We know they are a really good team,” A-J coach Brett Detering said. “They can score in a hurry and they’ve scored on a lot of big plays.”

Monticello has scored 476 points this season and is averaging 46.7 points a game. 

“We’ve been able to score some points this year,” Monticello coach Cullen Welter said. 

Quarterbacking the Sages is senior Benton Singleton, 6-2, 160 pounds.

“He’s a strong kid,” Welter said. “He’s throws pretty well and he is able to run the ball.”

The top running back threat is senior Alek Bundy, 6-0, 180 pounds.

Top receivers down field are seniors Asher Bradd, 5-9,  150 pounds, and Devin Graham, 6-1, 165 pounds.

The top offensive lineman is senior Riley Austin, 6-0, 200 pounds.

The Sages’ defense has been allowing only 6.9 points a game.

Top defensive players are Austin and Benton Singleton.

“They’re a strong team and it will be a big challenge for us,” Detering said. “But you’ve got to play your best in the playoffs.”

The Wildcats are on a eight-game winning streak going into the playoffs after losing their first two games.

“They have a lot of seniors returning from last year,” Welter said about A-J. “It should be a pretty good game. I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen on film. A key component to winning the game is whoever makes the least turnovers.”

“This will be a strong challenge for us,” Detering said. “It’s a  tough match-up and we don’t want it to end up a track meet. We need to slow down the game. At this point there’s a lot of good teams left, you’ve just got to play your best.”