Montini looks primed for playoffs after beating Providence
A season ago, Montini made it all the way to the state championship game.
With Deontay Bell under center, a return trip isn't out of the question.
Having a hand in five touchdowns Friday, the senior quarterback helped the Broncos charge into the postseason with a lot of momentum after a 41-21 victory over visiting Providence.
In improving to 7-2, 2-1 on the fall, Montini also moved into a three-way tie atop the CCL/ESCC Green after St. Rita defeated Notre Dame.
"Our coaches had a great game plan for us," Bell said, "and we came out and executed. We feel good, we've been working hard during practice. Now we will find out who we play (in the first round) and we are looking forward to the task at hand."
Bell tossed a trio of touchdowns to Nate Muersch in the first half as the Broncos jumped out to a 21-7 lead. None was bigger then the 44-yard strike between the two seniors with three seconds left in the second quarter that nearly mirrored a 40-yard TD connection four minutes earlier.
Bell finished with 201 yards passing. Muersch hauled in 8 passes for 125 yards.
"I trust my quarterback," Muersch said. "Those throws were all him. Obviously, I have to run my route correctly. But our coaches know what to do. At the end of the half, I told them to just throw it up. That was a huge play. But it's not just me, it was a team effort."
After the Celtics sliced the deficit to 21-14 early in the third, Bell scored on a 6-yard run. He later added a 51-yard scamper to the end zone before C.J. Bufkin closed the scoring with a 28-yard rush.
Bell rallied 126 yards on 14 attempts and Bufkin added 98 yards on 10 carries.
"The offense had a great night," Montini coach Mike Bukovsky said. "You have to start there. We were able to move the ball in the air and we were able to move the ball on the ground. I was very pleased with the offense and hopefully that continues.
"We are heading into the playoffs healthy and that's what you need to be at this time of the year. We feel good about our guys. We just have to prepare every week. It's a little different situation when you get to the playoff. It's a fun time of year."