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Montini advances to football quarterfinals with big win over Kaneland

Moments after watching his team's 42-7 victory over Kaneland, longtime Montini football coach Chris Andriano admitted the Broncos are a formidable bunch.

"We're solid in all three phases," Andriano said. "We're clicking."

Most observers would be hard-pressed to disagree after the top-seeded Broncos (11-0) grabbed a 28-0 first-quarter lead and scored touchdowns on 6 of their 7 first-half possessions during the Class 6A second-round playoff game in Lombard.

"We really played well right at the beginning of the game," said Andriano, whose team won the toss and elected to defer, taking the wind and kicking off to the Knights (7-4).

Kaneland converted its lone first down of the opening half on a 7-yard pass from quarterback Jake Marczuk to Mitchel Groen before punting.

Taking over at its own 34, Montini marched 66 yards in 5 plays, capped by a 7-yard touchdown run by junior tailback Prince Walker for a 7-0 lead.

An interception by senior linebacker John Embrey helped set up the Broncos' second TD - a 1-yard slant pass from quarterback Justin Blake to Dylan Maher.

A few minutes later, the Broncos received a turnover from an unexpected source as 6-foot-4, 330-pound defensive tackle Monte Bey intercepted a pass that was deflected by teammate Thomas Hyland at the Knights' 22.

"That might be the first time he's ever touched the ball in his life," Andriano said of Bey. "Everybody was happy for him. That was great."

Five plays later, Blake scored on a 19-yard keeper around right end, extending the Broncos' lead to 21-0.

After forcing a three-and-out series on the Knights' next possession, Montini tallied its fourth TD of the quarter on Blake's 11-yard toss to Mitchell West.

"It snowballed on them early," Andriano said of the Knights. "When you have a team like us that has that kind of defense, you're done."

Walker added his second TD of the game on a 19-yard run and Blake's third TD pass - a 28-yard strike to Tyler Millikan - made it 42-0 at halftime.

"We try to do that as much as we can," Blake said of his team's explosive start. "We try and play as hard as possible and leave it all out on the field. You never know when it can end."

Blake completed 13 of 16 passes for 119 yards and rushed for 101 yards on 10 carries in the first half before backup quarterback Bradley Norgle played the entire second half.

"Justin has had an unbelievably great year," said Andriano, whose team visits DeKalb in at 1 p.m. next Saturday in state quarterfinal action. "We're real happy with his progress and the way he runs our offense. He's a danger every time he's got the ball."

"They're a great team," Knights coach Tom Fedderly said of the Broncos. "Talking with their coach afterward, (Andriano) thinks this is one of his best teams and I wouldn't disagree with him."

Kaneland, which won its last three regular-season games to qualify for postseason play, avoided the shutout when Marczuk scored on a 48-yard run with 9:15 left in the third quarter.

"I'm just real proud of our kids," Fedderly said. "It was tough today, but I'll never forget that win we had last week (33-31 over Belvidere North) and what those kids did."

Kaneland's Michael Groen runs the ball against Montini on Saturday in Lombard at the IHSA 6A Round 2 of Playoffs. Photo by Karen Naess
Kaneland's Jake Marczuk looks for the opening against Montini on Saturday in Lombard at the IHSA 6A Round 2 of Playoffs. Photo by Karen Naess
Kaneland's Jonathan Alstott makes the catch against Montini on Saturday in Lombard at the IHSA 6A Round 2 of Playoffs. Photo by Karen Naess
Kaneland's Tanner Robertsen carryes the ball past Montini defense on Saturday in Lombard at the IHSA 6A Round 2 of Playoffs. Photo by Karen Naess
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